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

Helpful resources for Reading

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Reading

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Found drapes near Reading Public Library

Today around 2:15 p.m., I found a bundle of drapes behind a stack of crates in an alley off Court Street near the Reading Public Library. They’re heavy, a deep burgundy with a subtle damask pattern, and the lining shows a pale gold. I checked for a note, but nothing attached gave me a name, so I figured they must belong to someone who lost them during a move. I’m glad to help, and I left them safe for the owner to claim here.

behind the Reading Public Library on Court Street 1 day ago

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Found: Toasters near Santander Arena, Reading

On Saturday around 3:20 PM, I found a pair of toasters sitting on a bench outside the Santander Arena at 700 Penn Street in Reading. They’re white with a light crumb crust along the slots and a frayed orange power cord wrap. It looked like someone might have dashed off after a game or concert, so I picked them up with a sense of responsibility and wiped away the crumbs. I’m posting this hoping the rightful owner will see it and recognize their kitchen companions.

near the Santander Arena 3 days ago

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Found item labeled 'Breeds' in Reading

I found someone else's item outside Reading Public Library on Penn Street in Reading, Pennsylvania, around 2:45 p.m. on Friday. It's a brown binder labeled Breeds, with handwritten notes about different dog breeds and a handful of photos tucked inside. The cover shows a paw-print sticker and a coffee ring from a long afternoon. I didn’t know what to think at first, but it seemed clearly valuable to whoever owns it—a quiet collection of breed information that felt personal. I tucked it into my bag to keep it safe and hoped the owner would see this post and recognize it quickly. If you’re missing something like this, I’m glad it’s here in the meantime.

outside Reading Public Library, Penn Street 18 days ago

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Found Equipment for Various Sports near GoggleWorks

Yesterday at 3:45 p.m., I was walking near the GoggleWorks Center for the Visual Arts in Reading when I found a tote bag stuffed with sports gear. Inside were two basketballs, a lacrosse stick, a tennis racket, shin guards, and a whistle. The bag had no name on it, and the area around the plaza was busy but people were rushing by. I felt a mix of curiosity and relief—the kind of relief you get when you know someone’s hard-earned stuff isn’t going to vanish. I kept it safe here so the rightful owner can claim it through the site.

near the GoggleWorks Center for the Visual Arts 24 days ago

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Found two hamsters near Reading Public Library

On Tuesday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m., I found two tiny hamsters tucked under a bench outside the Reading Public Library on 5th Street. They were in a small, dusty travel cage with a little wheel that creaked when I touched it. I set a shallow dish of water and some crumbs beside them and kept an eye on them until dark. I’m posting this here hoping the rightful owner sees it and can reclaim their pets through the site.

near Reading Public Library on 5th Street, Reading 27 days ago

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Found blue insulin pen near Reading Station

Found a blue insulin pen with a darker blue cap outside Reading Station on Station Road this morning around 9am. It’s a NovoNordisk SoloSTAR-style pen, with a white wrap-around label that’s a bit worn but legible. There’s a small black sticker on the label with the initials 'MP' written in marker. The device looks lightly used and clean, the cap fits snugly, and there are no obvious cracks. I’m posting this here because I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner; if this sounds like yours, send me a message and we’ll figure out how to return it safely.

Reading 2 months ago