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

Helpful resources for Salem

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Salem

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Found hats in Salem, Oregon.

Yesterday at 12:31 PM, while strolling through Riverfront Park near the Saturday farmers market in Salem, I found this hat tucked behind a bench. It's a black wool fedora with a red ribbon and a small feather pin—well worn, with a crease in the brim and a faint scent of leather. I checked the lining for a note or tag, but nothing else showed up. I’ve kept it safe here, hoping the rightful owner will see this listing and recognize it.

Riverfront Park, near the farmers market, Salem. about 23 hours ago

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Found CDs near Riverfront Park gazebo, Salem

I found a stack of CDs near the Riverfront Park gazebo in Salem around 1:15 p.m. today. They were loose in a dusty case with a few scratches and a hand-written label that read 'For a rainy day.' A jogger passed by as I picked them up, and I could tell someone spent hours curating them. They feel like someone’s soundtrack, and it bothers me to think of the owner missing them. I’m keeping them safe here for now in case they turn up on the site.

by the Salem Riverfront Park gazebo 11 days ago

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Found sports equipment in Salem, Oregon

On my way out of Riverfront Park in Salem around 5:15 p.m. today, I spotted a large gym bag abandoned near the benches by the basketball courts. Inside was a jumble of equipment: soccer cleats with dried mud, shin guards, a rolled-up yoga mat, a tennis racket, and a couple of water bottles. The bag had a blue strap and a faded varsity badge. It looked recently used for multiple sports and clearly belonged to someone who spends weekends at practices. I brought it to the city’s lost-and-found so the owner can reclaim it quickly.

Near Riverfront Park entrance 18 days ago

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Found gray tabby cat with blue collar in Salem

I found this gray tabby cat this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Salem Public Library on Essex Street, by the fountain outside the main entrance. It has bright green eyes, white paws, and a blue collar with a small star-shaped tag that reads 'Milo,' plus a tiny notch in its left ear for extra ID. The cat seemed well cared for and was surprisingly friendly after a few gentle pats, though it kept a wary eye on the surroundings. If this is your cat or you recognize Milo, send me a message in the app with details about the collar tag or Milo’s usual routine so we can get you back together.

Salem about 2 months ago

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Bright blue budgie with green leg band

Found a bright blue budgie this afternoon around 4pm near the Salem Public Library on Church Street. It's a small parakeet, about palm-sized, with cobalt-blue feathers, white wing patches, a yellow beak, and a green plastic leg band engraved with 'SA'. The bird seemed hungry and a bit skittish, so I kept it in a small travel carrier while I try to locate the owner. If this is yours, please message me with details like the leg band letters or a distinguishing mark on the wing so we can reunite you quickly.

Salem about 2 months ago

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Found AKAI MPK Mini MIDI keyboard

Found a compact AKAI MPK Mini MIDI keyboard controller this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Salem Public Library on Court Street. It's a small 25-key black controller with matte finish and bright red pads, tucked into a slim black padded sleeve. The pads light up and the unit feels solid, though a bit used. There's a neon yellow sticker on the top edge that says 'OZ'—easy to spot if you’re the owner. If this belongs to you, I’m happy to reunite it; I know how much you rely on gear like this.

Salem 3 months ago