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

Helpful resources for Manhattan

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Manhattan

found J

Mid-century teak coffee table with glass top

Found a mid-century teak coffee table with a glass top this afternoon around 4:15pm on Broadway between 72nd and 73rd Streets, right outside a small cafe in Manhattan. The wood has a warm honey tone and the glass top is clean, with just a couple of tiny edge scratches. It rides on slender tapered legs, and there’s a small drawer with a brass pull. A subtle carved leaf motif on the front legs gives it a bit of character. If this is your table, drop me a line and we'll figure out how to get it back to you.

Manhattan about 2 months ago

found A

Navy North Face backpack with orange zippers

I found a navy blue North Face backpack this afternoon around 2:30pm on the Grand Central Terminal concourse, near the main information desk at 42nd Street. It's a sturdy, slightly scuffed pack with bright orange zipper pulls and a small fox enamel pin on the strap. Inside, there's a gray water bottle, a spiral notebook titled 'City Sketches,' and a USB drive labeled 'M. Rao' in the side pocket. The bag looks like it's been through a commute or two, but everything seems intact. If it's yours, drop me a note with a detail from the contents so we can verify and I can get it back to you.

Manhattan 3 months ago

found A

Yellow DeWalt 20V drill in black case, found

I found a yellow DeWalt 20V cordless drill this afternoon around 3pm near the Union Square subway entrance on 14th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues in Manhattan. It's tucked in a black hard-shell carrying case, a bit scuffed on the corners, with a small dent near the chuck. There's blue painter's tape on the handle with the initials 'AH', and inside the case there’s a battery and charger that look used but still functional. I know it's probably someone's important tool for a project—if this is yours or you recognize it, hopefully you can message me in the app and we can arrange a pickup near Union Square.

Manhattan 5 months ago

found P

Found silver hoop earrings near Central Park South

I found a pair of earrings this afternoon around 2:15pm on the pedestrian plaza outside the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, near Central Park South. They are silver-tone hoop earrings about 1 inch in diameter, with a polished finish and a tiny emerald-green enamel dot on one side. The other earring has a small 'A.R.' engraving on the inner back, and there is a barely noticeable scratch near the clasp, which might suggest slight wear but they still look nice. They were sitting on a bench near the entrance, and I did not see anyone looking for them, so I am hoping to find the owner. If these could be yours, please reach out and we can arrange a pickup near the plaza.

Manhattan 6 months ago

found E

Found small brown guinea pig near the Central Park West entrance in Manhattan, Kansas.

I found a small brown guinea pig wandering in the grass near the Central Park West entrance. It seems friendly and healthy but doesn’t have any identification. I want to make sure it gets back to its owner. If you’re missing your pet, please reach out with a description.

Central Park West entrance, Manhattan, Kansas, United States 7 months ago

found J

Found small green anole lizard at Riverside Park near the picnic area in Manhattan, Kansas.

I found a small green anole lizard at Riverside Park last evening. It was wandering near the picnic area, and I couldn’t just leave it there. I think it got lost since there's no way it would wander into Manhattan on its own. It's quite friendly and seems to be in good health. If this is your pet, please reach out!

Riverside Park, Manhattan, KS, USA 7 months ago