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

Helpful resources for Rhode Island

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Rhode Island

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Found carry-ons near Providence Station, RI

I was grabbing a quick coffee before work when I spotted two carry-ons tucked behind a planter near the curb by Providence Station around 9:15 a.m. today. One is a black rolling suitcase and the other a navy soft-shell bag, both with travel stickers. There were no obvious IDs, so I left them on the information desk and hoped the owner would see this post.

Near the ticket counter at Providence Station 5 days ago

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Found paintings near Providence Station

On Friday afternoon around 4:30 p.m., I found three paintings leaning against a trash bin near the south entrance of Providence Station in Providence, Rhode Island. The frames are a little worn, but the canvases show varied scenes—a rocky shoreline, a calm harbor, and a sunlit street corner—each one vibrant in its own way. The signature in the corner is faint, and there’s a sense they were dropped in a hurry by someone rushing to catch a train. I’m posting this here in the hope the rightful owner sees it and can claim them again.

Providence Station, south entrance 17 days ago

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Found memory cards near Providence Place Mall, Providence

While walking from a coffee shop on Westminster Street around 4:15 p.m. on Friday, I found a small plastic case with memory cards lying on the sidewalk near the Providence Place Mall. The case contains several SD cards, some labeled with dates and trip names. I can see a few files labeled 'Vacation 2024' and 'Family Photos' on one card. I’ll hold onto them here in case the owner checks this page; I hope the rightful owner sees this and can recover their pictures.

Near Providence Place Mall, downtown Providence 22 days ago

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Found microwaves in Providence building kitchen

I found microwaves belonging to someone else in the community kitchen of my Providence, Rhode Island, apartment building at 7:42 AM today. They sat on the stainless counter, pulse light blinking, and the door hung with a tiny dent. The morning sun spilled through the window by the river, and the hum of the fridge kept me company as I surveyed the scene. I felt a mix of responsibility and relief, thinking of the person who might be searching for them. I’ve kept them safe in the staff room until the owner can claim them through the building manager.

in the building's communal kitchen near the Providence River about 1 month ago

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FOUND: coins near Providence Station.

I was walking my dog at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday along Exchange Street by Providence Station when I spotted a small pile of coins under a bench. It looked like a century of change—pennies with copper sheen, a few bright nickels, and one silver coin that looked older. It felt like a tiny connection to someone’s routine—a bus ride, a tip jar, a quick purchase after a long day. I tucked the coins into a small tin and hoped they’ll help someone piece together their day again.

near Providence Station, Exchange Street about 1 month ago

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Blue US passport found near Waterplace Park, Providence

I found a blue US passport this afternoon around 2:15pm on a bench outside the Dunkin' on Westminster Street, near Waterplace Park in Providence, Rhode Island. The cover is navy blue with gold lettering, and it’s a standard passport book with a few light scratches and a small coffee stain on the back. There’s a travel-agency sticker on the inside cover and a dent along the top edge, which might help the owner identify it. If this is yours, email me at [email protected] and we can figure out a safe way to get it back to you.

Rhode Island 3 months ago