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

Helpful resources for Lancaster

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Lancaster

found D

Found pants near Lancaster Central Market.

I was walking to the bus stop near the Fulton Street entrance of the Lancaster Central Market this morning, around 7:50 a.m., when I spotted a pair of navy jeans lying folded on the sidewalk by the market steps. They’re men’s jeans, size 34x32, with a brown leather patch on the back and a small frayed cuff. I picked them up and left them on a bench outside the market, hoping the owner might recognize them. The pockets held a few receipts but nothing to identify the owner. If these belong to you, they’re here and waiting to be claimed.

Lancaster Central Market, Fulton Street entrance 3 days ago

found E

Found document holders near Lancaster Central Market.

Friday around 7:20 pm, I found a neat bundle of document holders sitting on a bench by the bus stop on East King Street, right outside the Fulton Theatre. They’re a compact set—black covers with a red elastic spine and a few loose papers tucked inside. My first thought was that someone had rushed off and left them behind after a long day, and I felt a little urgency to get them back to their owner. They clearly matter to someone—these aren’t just office supplies. If these belong to you, please claim them through the site; they’re here near the Lancaster Central Market.

Near the Lancaster Central Market 5 days ago

found A

Found pins near Lancaster Central Market

I was at Lancaster Central Market around 2:30 PM last Saturday when a small pile of pins spilled from a vendor's stall and rolled across the floor. I found them and picked them up, noticing a mix of enamel pins—horses, city logos, and a few handmade designs. They looked well-loved, like someone wore them with pride. I’m posting here to help reunite the owner with memories attached to those pins, not to keep them for myself.

Reward

near Lancaster Central Market, Market Street 23 days ago

found E

Found paintings near Fulton Theatre, Lancaster

At 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, I was tidying up after a small pop-up show near Lancaster Central Market when I spotted two paintings tucked behind a wooden crate by the loading dock on North Queen Street. One shows a sunlit farm under a cloud-streaked sky; the other, a moody river valley with fall colors. I brought them to the front desk of the Fulton Theatre to keep them safe until the owner claims them. It hurts to imagine someone else’s work going missing, and I hope these find their way back to whomever painted them.

near Fulton Theatre, North Queen Street 2 months ago

found J

Found medication in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This morning around 9:15, I found a small bottle of medication lying on the sidewalk near Lancaster Central Market. It had the label still visible, tucked under the awning, and it looked like someone had dropped it in a rush. I picked it up, kept it with me, and hoped the owner would see this note and claim it. It’s a relief to know a small moment of chance might reunite someone with what they rely on every day, especially with something as personal as medication. I’m sharing this to help the rightful owner be found.

near Lancaster Central Market 2 months ago

found S

Found memory cards near Lancaster Central Market

I was helping set up a pop-up outside Lancaster Central Market around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday when a small plastic case slid out from under a bench near Penn Square. The cards look like they belong to a photographer or student—lots of travel photos and a few personal shots. I can imagine the owner stressing about what’s on those cards, so I’m posting here to help reunite them with whoever owns them. The Market's brick sidewalks and the scent of coffee and kettle corn made the moment feel hopeful. If you recognize these, the site will guide you to claim them.

Reward

near Penn Square, outside Lancaster Central Market 2 months ago