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

Helpful resources for Lafayette

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Lafayette

found B

Found envelope with name and number

Friday the 29th, in Albertsons parking lot, I found an envelope that had some things in it. It had a name on one side, and a number on the other side of it. Looking to return it to the owner.

Lafayette 29 days ago

found P

Gray Nike running shoes, size 9

Found a pair of gray Nike running shoes, size 9, this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the old train depot in the Lafayette Market District on Main Street. They’re a bit scuffed but solid, with a worn feel in the sole. The left shoe has a neon green lace tucked inside, and there’s a tiny coffee stain on the tongue. I’d love to get them back to the owner, especially if you’ve been jogging along the river trail today. If you recognize them, drop a note here and we can arrange a pickup near Main and 2nd.

Lafayette about 1 month ago

found P

Cream knit scarf with navy stripe

I found this cream knit scarf this morning around 9:15 near the Lafayette Public Library on Main Street. It's a Lands' End scarf, about 60 inches long, with a navy stripe along the edge and a small snag in the fringe. The scarf looks gently used, soft and warm, with a tiny stitched initials tag reading 'L.E.' near the corner that could help identify the owner. If this sounds like yours, send me a quick note and we can arrange a pickup near the library.

Lafayette about 1 month ago

found A

Vintage coin collection in red pouch

I found a vintage coin collection this afternoon around 4:15pm behind the Lafayette Antique Market on West Pinhook Road. It’s tucked in a small red leather pouch about 6x4 inches, with a brass zipper that’s a bit tarnished. Inside are roughly 40 coins from the 1800s to early 1900s—mostly silver-toned, some with green patina, and a couple that gleam. One coin is a Barber dime with a tiny scratch near the date, and there’s a faded hand-written note in the pouch that says 'To Dad'. A small brass ship charm hangs from the zipper pull, which is a unique identifying feature. I’d really like to get this back to its owner; if you recognize it, tell me about the note on the pouch and the coins’ dates.

Lafayette 2 months ago

found P

Hand-painted ceramic wall plaque with floral design

I found a hand-painted ceramic wall plaque this afternoon around 3:45pm outside the Lafayette Art Center on Lafayette Street near the Main Street intersection. It's about 8 inches square with a cream glaze and a blue-and-gold peony pattern, and there's a tiny chip on the bottom edge. The back bears a maker's mark, 'A.L. 17', and a jute hanger loop is still attached. It feels like something that belongs in a cozy living room more than a curb, so I kept an eye out for the owner since it's got a bit of sentimental charm. If this looks familiar, email me at [email protected] and I'll organize a pickup.

Lafayette 2 months ago

found A

Silver-tone Seiko watch with blue dial

I found a silver-tone Seiko watch this afternoon around 2:15pm near the corner of Main Street and 4th in downtown Lafayette, by the farmers market setup. It has a blue sunburst dial with white hour markers and a black leather strap with subtle red stitching along the edges. The case shows a few light scratches and there’s a tiny engraving on the back that reads 'M.H. 08/23'. I picked it up because it stood out among the sidewalk clutter, and I can imagine how someone might be really missing it. If this watch belongs to you, drop a note in the app and we can arrange a safe pickup.

Lafayette 3 months ago