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

Helpful resources for Nashville

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Nashville

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FOUND Devices in Nashville near Ryman Auditorium

I was walking the neon-soaked sidewalks of Broadway near the Ryman Auditorium at 2:30 pm on Saturday when I spotted a backpack abandoned on the curb. Inside lay a laptop, a tablet, and a pair of wireless earbuds, all tucked into a dark case and looking surprisingly intact. The scene felt urgent but not panicked, so I kept watch over the items and carried them to the nearest lost-and-found area in my memory. If these belong to you, I hope you’ll check this listing and connect through the site.

near the Ryman Auditorium, downtown Nashville 7 days ago

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FOUND adapters near Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville

I found a small batch of adapters yesterday afternoon, left on a bench outside the Country Music Hall of Fame on Broadway in Nashville. It was around 4:30 p.m., and the crowd had thinned after the show, so I grabbed them thinking someone would be missing them soon. There are USB-C and micro-USB adapters inside a black zip pouch, not expensive but useful. I figured the rightful owner would recognize them by the tiny sticker you see on the pouch. If this sounds like yours, please reach out and I’ll help you reclaim them.

outside the Country Music Hall of Fame on Broadway 2 months ago

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Found holiday decorations near the Country Music Hall of Fame

I found a bundle of holiday decorations tucked behind a bench near the Country Music Hall of Fame around 9:15 p.m. on December 2. Inside was a jumble of glittery red-and-gold ornaments, a string of multicolored lights, and a handwritten tag that read Holiday 2023. I figured someone must be missing them, so I brought the items to a safe spot and posted here in case the owner recognizes them. I remember decorating my own place with a similar assortment last year and felt a little tug of sympathy for the owner, hoping these still get put to good use. If you are the owner, I am hoping these can be returned to you soon.

near the Country Music Hall of Fame 3 months ago

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Found ID card with photo near Broadway

I found this ID card this afternoon around 2:15pm on the sidewalk outside the Ryman Auditorium, right where Broadway meets 5th Ave in downtown Nashville. It’s a Tennessee state ID, with a glossy photo of a person in a gray hoodie and a blue border with the state seal in the corner. The name on the card reads 'Jordan L. Kim,' and there’s a bright blue lanyard still attached with a tiny star sticker near the clasp. The edge is a little bent and there’s a faint coffee ring on the back. If you think this is yours, message me here with the name on the card and the issuing state, and I’ll pass it along.

Nashville 4 months ago

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Sterling silver charm bracelet with heart charm

I found a delicate sterling silver charm bracelet this afternoon around 3:15pm on Broadway in downtown Nashville, just outside a coffee shop near the Ryman Auditorium. It features a small heart charm, a dangling moon bead, and an engraving of the initials 'A.S.' on the clasp. The bracelet sits at roughly 6.5 inches and has a light patina from wear, but it's otherwise in good condition. I know this probably meant a lot to the owner, and I'd really like to help get it back. If you're the owner, I can meet up near the coffee shop to return it or hold onto it for a bit while you swing by.

Nashville 5 months ago

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Medium-sized brindle dog with blue collar near Parthenon

I found a medium-sized brindle dog this morning around 7:15am wandering near the Parthenon in Centennial Park, Nashville. He's got a short brindle coat, about 40 pounds, a bright blue collar, and a small round silver tag that looks worn. There's a tiny white patch on his chest and one ear that sits a bit floppy. He was friendly with me and other dogs, and he seemed well cared for, not scared. If this sounds like your dog, message me here and we can meet up near the park entrance off West End Ave so you can take him home.

Nashville 6 months ago