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

Helpful resources for Lawrence

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Lawrence

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Found: Student ID in Lawrence, KS

I was wandering down Massachusetts Street around 4:15 p.m. last Friday when I spotted a Student ID lying on a bench near Free State Brewing Co. The name on the card looked real, and it clearly wasn't mine, so I picked it up and checked nearby for anyone who might be missing it. I brought it to the information desk at the KU student union and left it there so the owner could reclaim it. It felt good to return something important to the right person, and I walked away grateful.

Sentimental

Near Free State Brewing Co., Massachusetts St 10 days ago

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Found: Pants on Mass St near Jayhawk Fountain.

I was walking down Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence around 3:20 p.m. today when a pair of gray pants tumbled from a backpack and landed by the Jayhawk Fountain. I checked for a tag, but there was nothing obvious. They look like men's casual chinos in medium gray, with a small belt-loop tear near the left knee. The owner might be frazzled from a busy afternoon, and I hope the rightful owner sees this listing and knows the pants were found somewhere in this lively corner of town.

Jayhawk Fountain, Mass St. 12 days ago

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Found radios on Mass Street, downtown Lawrence today

This morning around 10:15 am, I found a pair of radios lying on the sidewalk by Massachusetts Street near the Free State Brewing Co. in downtown Lawrence. They look well-worn, with a chipped knob and a faded thrift-store sticker. They’re in a weathered gray leather case and clearly belong to someone who loves vintage gear. I’m hoping to reunite them with their owner and put the pieces back where they belong.

by the Free State Brewing Co. on Mass St 27 days ago

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Navy blue Nike swim trunks, size M

I found a pair of navy blue Nike swim trunks this afternoon around 2:45pm behind the KU Memorial Stadium parking lot on 6th Street in Lawrence. They're size M, quick-dry fabric, with a white drawstring and a bright red Nike Swoosh on the left leg. Inside the waistband there's a small blue silicone keyring with a 'KU' insignia, and there's a faint chlorine stain near the hem plus a tiny orange squiggle mark on the right pocket—two unique features that could help identify them. They look recently used but in good shape otherwise. If these might be yours, I'm happy to get them back to you.

Lawrence 4 months ago

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Found bright pink dog harness with leash

I found this bright pink dog harness with a matching blue leash this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind Free State Brewing Co. on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence. The harness is small, nylon with a reflective stripe along the edge and a tiny paw-print charm on the buckle. The leash is plain blue, about four feet long. It looked well-used but clean, and there was no ID tag on either piece. I’d love to see it go back to the pup it belongs to—if this sounds like yours, shoot me a note and we can meet up near Lawrence Public Library or at the corner of 9th and Mass to transfer.

Lawrence 4 months ago

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Red nylon dog harness with reflective stripes

I found a red nylon dog harness with reflective stripes this morning around 8:15am behind the Lawrence Public Library on Vermont Street, near the bike racks. It’s a medium-sized, adjustable harness with a black plastic buckle and a small blue paw-print charm hanging from the D-ring. Inside, there’s a white label with a handwritten name that looks like “Milo.” The harness is in good condition and clearly used, with a few dog-hair specks and nothing torn. If this belongs to someone, I’d really like to help reunite it with their pup—I’ll be around the library area today in case someone recognizes it.

Lawrence 4 months ago