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

Helpful resources for Jersey Shore

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Jersey Shore

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Found stamps in Jersey Shore, NJ

I found a tin box of stamps this morning around 9:15 AM tucked behind a bench near the Asbury Park Boardwalk entrance. The stamps are a colorful mix—vintage commemoratives, a few country stamps, and some faded postmarks. It felt like a tiny treasure chest from someone’s album, and I knew I had to post them here in case the owner is searching along the Jersey Shore. If these belong to you, I’d be glad to help get them back into your collection.

Asbury Park Boardwalk near the Ferris wheel on Ocean Avenue 3 days ago

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FOUND sandals on Seaside Heights boardwalk

I was strolling the Seaside Heights boardwalk around 7:15 p.m. on Saturday when a glint in the sand caught my eye. FOUND a pair of brown sandals near the arcade by the jetty, tucked between a trash can and a bucket of crayons. I checked for a tag, but nothing clear turned up. It’s easy to imagine these belong to someone who’s spent a long day in the sun—I hope this post helps reunite them with their owner.

near the Seaside Heights boardwalk entrance 4 days ago

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FOUND: Pins near Jersey Shore boardwalk

I was walking along the Seaside Heights boardwalk at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday when a small pile of pins lay gleaming in the damp sand beside the carousel. They looked like little keepsakes—one gold lapel pin and several enamel pins in bright colors, all a bit scratched from the sun. I picked them up and tucked them into a plastic bag, hoping to reunite them with their owner. I’m posting this now because I know how much something like this can mean to someone, and I’d feel good about doing the right thing.

near the Seaside Heights boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ about 2 months ago

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Found hats along Jersey Shore boardwalk

I found these hats along the Seaside Heights boardwalk near the Fisherman’s Pier around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday. There’s a navy baseball cap with a faded college logo, a pink sunhat, and a striped bucket hat—three different stories in one small pile. I picked them up and waited by the railing, hoping the owner might notice them if someone looked there later. It felt good to do the right thing, and I’m keeping them safe until they’re reunited with whoever lost them.

Seaside Heights boardwalk, near the Fisherman’s Pier. about 2 months ago

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FOUND: Holiday decorations near Seaside Heights boardwalk

I was strolling along the Seaside Heights boardwalk last Friday around 7:15 p.m. when I spotted a bright bundle behind a bench near the Fisherman’s Pier. It turned out to be a mid‑sized tote of holiday decorations: a pine garland with red berries, a string of warm‑white lights, and a handful of glittery ornaments still in their plastic pouch. The wind had whipped them from a doorway display, I think, and the lights flickered in the glow of neon arcade signs. The sea air smelled faintly of salt and pretzels, and gulls cried overhead as the boardwalk music drifted from the nearby shops. It felt like someone’s small piece of home got left behind in the chaos of a busy night; I tucked them aside, hoping the rightful owner would see this post and claim them soon.

near the Seaside Heights boardwalk arcade, by Fisherman's Pier 2 months ago

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Gold ring with heart engraving found near Seaside Boardwalk

Found a gold ring this afternoon around 2:15pm on the Seaside Heights boardwalk, near the Casino Pier entrance. It's a 14k yellow gold band, size about 6, with a small heart engraving on the outside and two tiny diamonds on the sides. There are a few light scratches from wear, but it still catches the sun nicely. I found it near the bench by the east entrance to the boardwalk, right where everyone passes by. I'd love to help return it to its owner—if this sounds like yours, drop me a message and we can sort it out.

Jersey Shore 2 months ago