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

Helpful resources for Prescott

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Prescott

found G

found CDs near Prescott Courthouse Square

I found a tote with a stack of CDs on a bench near Heritage Square in Prescott around 3:20 pm yesterday. The cases cover a mix of indie and classic rock, some with stickers that caught my eye. It felt like a small piece of someone's daily life, and I felt a sense of responsibility to do the right thing. I left them with the information desk at the Prescott Courthouse Square, hoping the owner sees them there soon.

near the Prescott Courthouse Square information desk 18 days ago

found L

Found driver's license near Prescott Courthouse Square.

I’m Liam Carter, living in Prescott, Arizona. While walking home from the old town library along Gurley Street around 3:15 pm today, I found a driver’s license lying on the sidewalk near the Hassayampa Inn. The name on the license reminded me that this could be someone’s day turned around, and I hoped they’d be grateful to have it back. I turned it into the downtown desk at the Prescott Police Department to ensure it reached its owner. If you see this and recognize it, please know I did the right thing.

Gurley St near Hassayampa Inn, Prescott 27 days ago

found A

Blue nylon dog harness with lime leash

I found a blue nylon dog harness with a bright lime leash near the Courthouse Square gazebo on Gurley Street this afternoon around 2:45pm. It’s a medium adjustable harness with a small paw-print tag on the chest strap and a neon reflective strip along the edges. I left it with a bench by the gazebo so it wouldn’t get stepped on while I posted here. If this belongs to you, tell me a detail about the tag or a distinguishing mark and I’ll help you get it back in Prescott.

Prescott 4 months ago

found P

Hardcover 'The Night Circus' found outside Prescott Public Library

I found a hardcover copy of The Night Circus this afternoon around 2:15pm on the sidewalk in front of the Prescott Public Library on Cortez Street. It's a well-loved book, with a blue cloth cover and a red satin bookmark peeking out from page 199, plus a small coffee stain on the edge of page 214. Inside the cover there's a pencil inscription that says 'M. Chen's book'—a little clue that seems kind of unique. If this rings a bell, maybe the owner can share a favorite passage or the exact bookmark used; I’d really like to help get it back to you.

Prescott 4 months ago

found P

Gold-tone heart pendant necklace found near Whiskey Row

I found a gold-tone heart pendant necklace this afternoon around 2:30pm outside the old county courthouse on Montezuma Street in Prescott, near Whiskey Row. The chain is delicate, about 16 inches, with a small heart pendant that has a hammered texture. There’s also a tiny initial 'A' charm dangling from the clasp, and the clasp is a simple spring ring that's a bit scratched but still secure. The necklace looks like it belongs to someone who might wear it daily—it seems new, not worn-out, and in decent condition. If you’re missing something like this, I’m happy to return it; I know how sentimental jewelry can be.

Prescott 4 months ago

found P

Found Omron BP monitor with blue cuff

I found a black Omron blood pressure monitor with a blue cuff this morning around 9:45am in the Courthouse Square area, downtown Prescott. It’s housed in a slightly scuffed black plastic case with a small red heart sticker on the zipper and a white display screen that still shows the Omron logo. The cuff is clearly labeled “one-size-fits-most” with a thin blue line on the strap. It was sitting near the bike racks by Cortez Street, close to where the farmers market setup usually happens on weekend mornings. I know how important this health gear can be, so I’d love to reconnect it with its owner soon—if you recognize these details, please reach out with the model or the last measurement you recall.

Prescott 6 months ago