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 Jackson? 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 Jackson; 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 Jackson with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Jackson

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Jackson

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Found ties near Mississippi State Capitol, Jackson

I’m Trey Logan. This morning around 9:15 AM I found a set of men’s ties lying on the sidewalk by the Mississippi State Capitol steps in Jackson, Mississippi. There’s a navy striped tie, a burgundy paisley tie, and a solid gray one; the fabric is a bit worn and the lining shows a little fraying. I picked them up and posted them here to help reunite them with their owner.

Mississippi State Capitol steps, Jackson 7 days ago

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Found shirts in downtown Jackson

I found a stack of shirts tucked under a bench outside the Mississippi State Capitol on Congress Street in downtown Jackson at 11:15 a.m. yesterday. They were mostly blues and whites—polos, tees, and a couple of button-downs—still smelling faintly of laundry soap. I pictured someone juggling a busy morning and realizing their wardrob e was missing. I carried them to the nearby Jackson Community Center to keep them safe until the owner claims them.

Sentimental

outside the Capitol, Congress St., Jackson 21 days ago

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Found brooches near Capitol Street, Jackson

I was walking along Capitol Street in Jackson around 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday when I spotted a small tin by the entrance of a cafe. Inside were several brooches—gold-tone with a pearl center and a couple of floral designs—tumbled together in a velvet pouch. I picked them up and brought them to the lost-and-found listing so they can be reunited with their owner in Jackson, Mississippi. If you’re missing a set of brooches, describe them here and we’ll see if we can match you.

outside the Mississippi State Capitol on Capitol Street 24 days ago

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Found violins in Jackson, MS

Tamara Brooks here. I found two violins in a soft black case behind the Jackson Convention Center parking lot this afternoon around 2:10 PM. One violin has a warm brown sunburst finish, the other is lighter with a few scuffs near the f-holes. The case is worn, with a dusty rosin packet tucked inside. I didn’t see anyone nearby, so I turned the instruments in and posted here in case the owner reads this. It felt good to help keep music from getting lost.

behind the Jackson Convention Center parking lot 26 days ago

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Found handheld and console in Jackson, MS

On Fortification Street by the Old Capitol Green around 8:20 PM last Tuesday, I spotted a backpack lying on the sidewalk. Inside were a handheld game console and a larger home console, plus a charging cable and a handful of game cartridges. The owner clearly valued their gear, and the backpack had a few stickers reminding me of a weekend trip to the museum. I picked it up and posted here, hoping the rightful owner sees this and recognizes their items.

Fortification Street by Old Capitol Green, Jackson, MS about 1 month ago

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Found puppies near Jackson, Mississippi

I was walking along Capitol Street this afternoon when I found these puppies wandering together, probably five or six weeks old. It was around 3:00 p.m. near the Mississippi State Capitol lawn—both a little muddy and very friendly, wagging tails, no collar in sight. They’re small, short-haired, one black and white, the other tan. They seemed nervous but curious, and I kept them in a safe spot while I looked for their family nearby, hoping they weren’t stray for long. If these pups belong to someone, I’d love to see them go back home soon.

Capitol Street near the Mississippi State Capitol about 2 months ago