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

Helpful resources for Portland

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Portland

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Found USB drives in Portland

I was leaving the Pearl District coworking space around 6:35 pm Tuesday when I spotted three USB drives tucked behind a potted plant near the front desk. They’re in mismatched cases—one white with a faded sticker, one black with a chipped edge, and a third in a bright blue silicone sleeve. I felt a surge of relief imagining the owner not having to scramble for important files, and I kept them safe while I posted this found item. If the owner recognizes these drives, I hope this listing helps bring them back to where they belong.

Pearl District lobby near NW 12th Ave about 12 hours ago

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Found: Bus Tickets near Union Station, Portland

Found on Sunday around 5:40 p.m., I found a crumpled stack of bus tickets under a bench by Portland Union Station. The paper is creased from being stuffed in a pocket and then forgotten, with scribbled notes in a hurried hand. It reminds me of the scramble of catching a late ride after work. They smell faintly of coffee and ink. I’m posting them here in case the owner sees this and can reclaim them.

Near Portland Union Station 20 days ago

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Bright blue dog harness with lime trim

I found this bright blue dog harness this afternoon around 3:15 pm near Powell's City of Books on SW 11th Ave in Portland. It's a nylon harness, size small, with a lime-green reflective stripe and a small red fabric tag that says 'Rex' on the loop. It also has a tiny paw-print patch stitched near the chest strap and a few scuff marks from being on the sidewalk. It looks like it's in decent shape overall and I know some pups can be sentimental keepsakes for their owners. If this harness belongs to you, I'm happy to help return it—please reach out here with a description to confirm it's yours.

Portland 5 months ago

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Found gray Trtl travel neck pillow near Pearl District

I found a gray Trtl travel neck pillow this morning around 9:15 am in Portland's Pearl District, at NW 11th Ave and Everett St, right by the streetcar stop. It's the memory-foam style with a soft charcoal fleece cover, and there's a small zip pocket on the side with a blue monogram 'AR' on the fabric. The pillow looks a little crumpled from a short time on the ground but otherwise clean. If this belongs to you, DM me and we can arrange a pickup near a coffee shop in the Pearl.

Portland 5 months ago

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Gray knit beanie with black pom-pom found

I found a gray knit beanie with a black pom-pom this afternoon around 2:15pm on SW 5th Ave near Pioneer Place Mall in downtown Portland. It's a snug, medium-weight knit, with a soft fleece lining and a little pinecone patch stitched inside the brim. The beanie has a small amount of wear but is in good condition overall, no holes or pilling beyond typical use. If whoever lost it recognizes the pinecone patch, I'm happy to hand it back to you as soon as we meet up near the corner of SW 5th and Pine.

Portland 5 months ago

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Glossy black 28-inch suitcase with red tag, compass charm

I found a glossy black 28-inch suitcase this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Pioneer Place Mall on SW 5th Ave in downtown Portland. It's a sturdy four-wheel spinner, in decent condition with just a tiny dent on the front lower corner. A bright red luggage tag with the initials ET is still attached, and there's a small silver compass charm dangling from one zipper pull. The inside lining is blue and gray with a geometric pattern, easy to spot if someone checks quickly. I figured someone might be traveling or really hoping to get this back, so I’m posting here to reunite it with its owner.

Portland 6 months ago