Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Ithaca? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Ithaca; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Ithaca with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Ithaca

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Ithaca

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Found travel visas in Ithaca

I found travel visas on a bench near the Ithaca Commons around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, the papers tucked in a backpack that someone had left behind. The folder was light, with official-looking stamps visible through the plastic. The situation of travel documents makes me uneasy; I know how nerve-wracking it can be to misplace them before a trip. I picked up the bundle and kept it safe, hoping to get it back to the owner through this site. The bench was by the main entrance to the Ithaca Commons, near the State Theatre on Green Street.

Sentimental

Ithaca Commons, near the State Theatre, Green Street. 4 days ago

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Paperback novel found near Ithaca Commons; red maple bookmark

I found a paperback novel this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Ithaca Commons on State Street, near the State Theatre. It's a teal-covered mass-market paperback, about 350 pages, with a bright red maple-leaf bookmark sticking out between chapters and a small coffee ring on the back. The inside front cover has a handwritten note that reads 'A. Chen.' It seems well loved, and if the owner sees this, I hope they know someone picked it up to help reunite it.

Ithaca 2 months ago

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Found green parakeet with yellow face in Ithaca

Found a small green parakeet this afternoon around 4:15pm outside the Ithaca Commons, by the fountain on State Street. It's about the size of a typical parakeet, with an olive-green body, a bright yellow face, and tiny blue cheek patches. There's a blue leg band on one leg with the number 21, and the bird seems healthy and curious but clearly someone’s pet. I know this is someone's bird, and I hope to reunite it with its owner soon.

Ithaca 3 months ago

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Black leather briefcase with initials JH

I found a black leather briefcase this afternoon around 4:15pm in front of the State Theatre on State Street, near the Ithaca Commons. It's a slim Samsonite briefcase with a slightly worn handle and a small scuff on the bottom corner. Inside there's a blue fabric lining, a yellow sticky note with the name JH written on it, and a red USB drive clipped to the zipper. A few receipts from a local law firm are tucked in the pocket, along with a blue notebook that has a couple of dated notes. It looks recently used but well-kept. If someone recognizes it, please get in touch; I’d love to help return it to its owner.

Ithaca 3 months ago

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Green CamelBak backpack with hydration bladder

I found a green CamelBak hydration backpack this afternoon around 3:45pm near the Cayuga Waterfront Trail by Cass Park in Ithaca. It's a medium-sized hiking pack, mostly black with lime-green trim and a gray rain cover tucked into the bottom pocket, plus a Snoopy keychain on the zipper and a blue carabiner on the front strap. Inside, there's a lightweight rain jacket, a folded trail map, and a name tag that reads 'Alex Kim.' It looks like it's been on a few trips and is in pretty good shape otherwise. If this is yours, I'd be happy to return it—let me know where you'd like to meet or I can drop it at the park entrance.

Ithaca 3 months ago

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Black leather briefcase with brass clasp, found near The Commons

I found a black leather briefcase this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the State Theatre on The Commons in Ithaca. It's a medium-sized case with a brass turn lock and a sturdy leather handle; the leather has a few light scratches and the bottom corner is a bit scuffed. Inside, the charcoal-gray lining has a small pocket with a yellow sticky note bearing the name 'Sophie Nguyen' and a faded coffee ring on a folder—clear signs it's been in use. On the exterior there's a bright green luggage tag with the initial 'S' and a tiny doodle of a coffee cup, which should help the owner spot it, and I figured someone might be worried about it, so I held onto it while I posted this.

Ithaca 4 months ago