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

Helpful resources for Meridian

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Meridian

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FOUND Wall Art near Bonita Lakes Park

I was walking my dog along the Bonita Lakes Park trail this afternoon, around 2:15 p.m., when I spotted a wall art piece tucked beneath a park bench near the lake overlook. Its colors turquoise, gold, and cream stood out against the gray wood and scattered leaves. It felt personal, like something someone hung on a kitchen wall during a quiet weekend. If this looks familiar, I am posting it here in case the owner recognizes the scene in the frame.

Sentimental

Bonita Lakes Park, near the lake overlook 4 days ago

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Found a set of organizers in Meridian, MS

Found a set of plastic desk organizers on the sidewalk outside the Bonita Lakes Park entrance around 3:40 p.m. last Tuesday. I was walking back to my car after a quick errand near the Meridian Public Library when I spotted them sitting neatly by the curb, like they had been dropped mid-stride. They're clean, still with their labels intact, and it's obvious they belong to someone who was organizing a project or study session. I don't own them, so I set them upright and kept an eye out for anyone who might be looking. Hoping the owner sees this and can claim them soon.

Outside the Bonita Lakes Park entrance 29 days ago

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Found: Pins in Meridian, Mississippi

Found Pins in Meridian this morning, around 9:20 AM, on the tiled floor near the Meridian Depot, just outside the Riley Center. They’re a handful of enamel lapel pins from a local club, one with a silver compass, another with a tiny Mississippi state icon, and a few faded pins from a school event. They look like they’ve traveled with someone who’s proud of their hobbies, and I can imagine how frustrating it would be to realize they’re missing. I’m posting here because I’d love to see these back with their owner, and I’ll keep them safe until that happens.

near Riley Center, downtown Meridian about 1 month ago

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Found black leather wallet with silver zippers

Black leather wallet, with silver zippers. Holds mostly coins. Engraved E on the back of the wallet.I found this item on the ground close to the planet fitness entrance outside the meridian mall.

Meridian about 1 month ago

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SanDisk 64GB USB-C flash drive with blue label

I found a SanDisk 64GB USB-C flash drive this morning around 10:15am in the Meridian Transit Center plaza near the Cornerstone Coffee on Pine Street. The drive is black with a bright blue label and a small white star sticker on the cap. There's a light scratch on the label and the back has the initials 'PR' written in marker. I figured someone might be in a rush for class notes, so I grabbed it to hold onto while I try to find the owner. If it's yours, tell me the last file you saved, and I'll verify and get it back to you.

Meridian about 2 months ago

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Gold-tone chain necklace with heart pendant, found near Meridian Library

I found a gold-tone chain necklace yesterday around 4:15pm outside the Meridian Library on Main Street. The chain is about 18 inches long, lightweight, and the pendant is a small heart with a tiny ruby accent. On the back of the pendant there's a barely visible 'M' engraving, which might help confirm ownership. It looks sentimental, and I know how upsetting it would be to misplace something like this; if this is yours, I'd like to help you get it back.

Meridian 2 months ago