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

Helpful resources for Monroe

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Monroe

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Beige tote bag with blue panda keychain

I found a beige tote bag this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Monroe Public Library on Oak Street. It's a medium-sized canvas bag with brown leather trim at the corners, and the inside lining is navy blue. I spotted a blue panda keychain clipped to the zipper and a burgundy cardigan tucked over the strap, plus a spiral notebook with the initials 'LJ' on the cover. The bag looks used but in decent shape, no major damage. If this belongs to you, describe the contents or the initials on the notebook to claim it—I’m glad to help get it back to its owner.

Monroe 29 days ago

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Found gym contact card with Lena Hart’s info

I found a small white plastic business card this afternoon around 2:15pm in Monroe, in the parking lot behind the Monroe Public Library on Oak Street. It's for Monroe Move Gym, white with a teal logo and a coffee ring stain near the edge. The back has Lena Hart's info: 555-0123 and [email protected]. The card is a bit bent along the corner and has a tiny scratch near the logo. I picked it up near the bike racks by the library entrance. If this belongs to you, I can drop it off at the library desk or the gym staff.

Monroe 3 months ago

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Found missing person: teen girl in pink hoodie

I found a teenage girl wandering near Monroe Plaza outside the Monroe Courthouse on Main Street this afternoon around 4:15pm. She was wearing a bright pink hoodie, black leggings, and white sneakers with a purple stripe, and she has a small crescent moon tattoo on her left wrist. She carries a teal backpack with a star-shaped keychain and seemed anxious, glancing around like she wasn’t sure where to go. I stayed with her near the fountain until the Monroe Public Library security desk and the Monroe Police Department could help identify her and reunite her with family. If you know who she is or where she belongs, please reach out here or at [email protected].

Monroe 3 months ago

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Found keys with blue paw-print keychain in Monroe

I found a set of keys this morning around 9:15am near the Monroe Public Library on Main Street. The bundle is on a metal ring with a bright blue paw-print silicone fob and a small silver carabiner clip. There’s a brass tag engraved 'APT 4B' and a black plastic garage-door fob. They were sitting right by the bike rack near the Monroe Bakery. If the owner sees this, please reach out; I’d love to help return them.

Monroe 3 months ago

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Vintage NASA enamel pin collection in tin

I found a small metal tin this afternoon around 2:45pm outside The Velvet Cup on Monroe Street, downtown Monroe, near City Hall. Inside are about 8-10 enamel pins from the 1970s-80s, featuring rockets, astronauts, and a NASA logo. The tin lid has a faded handwritten label that reads 'Space Pioneers,' and one pin has a tiny enamel chip along the edge. The tin has a small dent in the corner, but the pins look well cared for. If you own them, I'm happy to meet near City Hall to return them.

Monroe 4 months ago

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Black Pearl snare drum near Monroe Library

I found a Black Pearl snare drum this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Monroe Public Library on Jefferson Ave, near the community center. It’s a Pearl Export 14x5.5" snare with a matte black finish, chrome hardware, and a few scuffs along the shell. There’s a Monroe High School Drumline sticker on the shell and a small dent near the lug—the kind of identifying feature you’d notice right away. The drumhead shows some wear but it still sounds solid when tapped. If this is yours, send me a message here to verify and arrange pickup; I know how important a drum can be to a player, and I’d be glad to help get it back.

Monroe 4 months ago