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

Helpful resources for Palm Springs

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Palm Springs

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Found: Handheld and Console in Palm Springs

I’m Dana Lee. I found a handheld game console along with a small controller on Palm Canyon Drive, near the Palm Springs Visitor Center, around 2:45 p.m. today. It looked recently used but intact, and the screen had a tiny scratch that suggests it belongs to someone who enjoys weekend gaming. I didn’t see a name on it, and I’m hoping to help the owner by posting this here.

Reward

Palm Canyon Dr near the Palm Springs Visitor Center 6 days ago

found G

FOUND Hats

This afternoon around 3:15 pm I found a small pile of hats by a bench outside Palm Springs City Hall on Palm Canyon Drive. There’s a red baseball cap with a faded logo, a straw fedora, and a couple of sporty caps in blue and gray. They looked like they belonged to someone who was out enjoying a sunny stroll and probably realized they were missing them later. If these hats are yours, please reach out through the site and I’ll connect you. I know how a favorite hat can feel like a piece of home.

near Palm Springs City Hall, Palm Canyon Dr 18 days ago

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Found sports equipment in Palm Springs.

While strolling at 3:45 PM on Saturday, I spotted a backpack and a bundle of gear behind the Palm Springs Convention Center on North Palm Canyon Drive. It contained equipment for various sports—basketball, tennis balls, a yoga mat, and a water bottle with a team logo. The scene looked like someone had hurriedly left it, perhaps after a hot afternoon practice in the sun. I picked it up, checked inside for identifying items, and tucked it under the bench by the plaza to keep it safe until the owner can claim it. I know how anxious it feels to lose gear that carries memories of games, but I hope the owner sees this and knows it was found and kept secure.

near the Palm Springs Convention Center on North Palm Canyon Dr 25 days ago

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FOUND: Brooches in Palm Springs, California

I was walking along Palm Canyon Drive, near the Palm Springs Art Museum, around 9:40 a.m. today when I spotted a small velvet-lined case on the sidewalk. Inside were several vintage brooches—a brass butterfly, a ruby-stone flower, and a delicate filigree pin—that clearly belonged to someone else. I picked them up and kept them in a pocket while I looked around, hoping to spot a note or a clue. It would mean a lot to see these back with whoever lost them.

Reward

near the Palm Springs Art Museum, Museum Way about 1 month ago

found P

Gold emerald ring found near Ace Hotel Palm Springs

I found a gold ring this afternoon around 2:15 PM near the entrance of the Ace Hotel & Swim Club on Palm Canyon Drive. It's a 14k yellow gold band with an oval emerald center stone and a tiny diamond accent on each side. The inside of the band is engraved with the initials 'A.S.' and there's a faint scratch along the left shoulder from wear. The ring looks stylish but clearly well-loved, like it might have sentimental value to its owner. If this sounds like yours, I'm happy to help reunite you.

Palm Springs 2 months ago

found A

Blue plush dragon toy with orange wings

I found a blue plush dragon toy this afternoon around 4:15pm, just outside the Palm Springs City Hall on Tahquitz Canyon Way. It's about 12 inches tall, made by the toy brand Giggle Buddies, with a soft velvety blue body, a white belly, and bright orange fabric wings. There's a tiny rainbow patch stitched on its chest and a little star patch on the left paw—super cute and clearly well-loved. The toy is in great condition overall, just a little dusty from the sidewalk. I wanted to put it somewhere safe while I figured out who it belongs, since it sounds sentimental and might be a prized comfort for a kid who's missing it. If this might be yours or you know who it belongs to, message me here so we can arrange a pickup nearby.

Palm Springs 2 months ago