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

Helpful resources for New Orleans

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in New Orleans

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FOUND: Xylophones near Jackson Square, New Orleans

At 4:15 PM on Friday, I was walking from the French Market toward Jackson Square in the French Quarter when I spotted a wooden case tucked behind a bench by the railing. A bright set of xylophones peered out, their mallets tucked inside the lid. It looked like someone had been busking and had to hurry off into the bustle of Royal Street. My heart gave a little jump—these instruments carry so many memories for musicians here. I carried the case toward the nearest shop window and hoped the owner would find it through this post.

Near Jackson Square, French Quarter about 6 hours ago

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Found: Felines near the French Market

found: I found a tote labeled Felines sitting on the curb at the corner of Decatur Street and Esplanade Avenue around 7:45 PM on Tuesday, near the French Market in New Orleans. Inside were two ceramic cat figurines, a small plush cat, and a notebook with sketches of felines. It looked loved and perhaps left in a hurry by someone who adores cats, and I felt a tug of sympathy thinking about a pet that is missed. I turned it in at the market's lost-and-found desk by the riverfront, hoping the rightful owner would see this listing. If this sounds like yours, know that it's been kept safe and awaits pickup through the site.

Reward

near the French Market, by the riverfront tram stop about 9 hours ago

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Found travel adapters in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

I found travel adapters last Friday evening in New Orleans. I picked them up from a bench near Jackson Square on Bourbon Street, around 9:30 PM, just outside Cafe Du Monde. They were in a small black pouch with a few assorted plugs—clearly someone on a trip. I know how nerve-wracking it is to misplace them, so I’m leaving them here in case the owner spots this and can reclaim them.

Jackson Square near Cafe Du Monde, French Quarter 25 days ago

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Found: Devices in New Orleans, LA

I found a bundle of devices on a bench outside Cafe du Monde on Decatur Street, near Jackson Square, in the French Quarter around 1:30 p.m. last Sunday. There was a charger, a tablet, and a small laptop sleeve tucked among a tote bag and some cables. I kept them with a napkin nearby and watched for any ID, hoping the owner would see this post. It felt good to help, and I hope the rightful owner finds these devices soon.

Cafe du Monde, Decatur Street, by Jackson Square about 1 month ago

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Gold ring with emerald found near Bourbon Street

I found this gold ring with an emerald this afternoon around 3:15pm while wandering along Decatur Street near Jackson Square, right outside Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It’s a slender 14k yellow gold band with a bezel-set square-cut emerald, and there’s a tiny scratch along the bezel edge that makes it easy to identify. Inside the shank there’s a faint engraving, 'JL', near the base in a delicate script. The emerald shows a natural inclusion that gives it character and makes it unique. I picked it up because it looked valuable and I really want to help reunite it with its owner—if this sounds like yours, share the initials and how you wore it so we can verify and get it back to you smoothly.

New Orleans 4 months ago

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Pink reflective harness with bone tag

I found this pink reflective dog harness this afternoon around 4:15pm near the Audubon Park entrance on St. Charles Avenue, right by the streetcar stop. It's a bright nylon harness, size small, with reflective piping and a small silver bone-shaped tag that reads 'Misty' on the buckle. It's in good condition—no tears, just a bit of dirt from the park. The color really pops in the sun, and I figured it probably belongs to a pup who had a great walk today. I'll hold onto it here until the owner claims it or you message me with identifying details.

New Orleans 6 months ago