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

Helpful resources for Southern Maryland

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Southern Maryland

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Found: Avians near Solomons Island

I was closing up the dockside cafe when I spotted a small wooden box labeled Avians under a bench near the Solomons Island Lighthouse, around 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Inside were a handful of bird-themed figurines, a tiny compass keychain, and a faded postcard from a place I can’t quite read. It felt personal and a little fragile, so I tucked everything away and kept watch at the bench for a bit in case the owner comes back. Losing something with a story behind it is nerve-wracking, and I hope this helps reunite it with its rightful owner.

near the Solomons Island Lighthouse 4 days ago

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Photographs found near Solomons Island boardwalk

I was strolling along the Solomons Island Boardwalk around 3:12 p.m. on Friday when I spotted a tote of photographs tucked underneath a bench near the lighthouse. The images look like a family album—shots of a graduation, a birthday cake, and kids at the waterfront. They’re faded and curled at the edges, and I could feel how special they are to someone who recognizes each face. I picked them up and kept an eye out for the person who lost them, tucking the tote into my bag so they wouldn’t blow away in the breeze. I’m hoping the owner recognizes the moments and claims them soon.

Solomons Island Lighthouse, boardwalk area 10 days ago

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Found hand tools in Southern Maryland.

I found a sturdy metal toolbox tucked behind a bench in the Prince Frederick Library area around 3:15 PM last Sunday. Inside were wrenches, pliers, a claw hammer, and a taped measure—the kind of set a DIYer keeps in a bin for weekend projects. A faded label on the lid is peeling, so I’m posting here in case the owner recognizes the gear by its contents and the bench's location. It felt relieving to reunite something with a maker's hands, and I hope this helps do the same.

behind the Prince Frederick Library 29 days ago

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Found terrariums near Solomons Island boardwalk

I found a set of glass terrariums on the Solomons Island boardwalk around 4:15 PM yesterday. They were tucked behind a planter near the lighthouse, moss glowing green and tiny succulents peeking through. I brushed off salt spray and kept them safe on a bench while I looked around, hoping the owner would appear. They looked cared for, like a piece of someone’s home, not a random ornament. I’m posting here in case the owner recognizes their terrariums and can reclaim them.

near Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons Island about 1 month ago

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I found pins near Solomons Island marina

While strolling along the Solomons Island marina around 11:20 AM on May 14, 2025, I spotted a small lot of enamel pins under a bench by the fishing pier. There was a compass pin, a Maryland flag pin, plus a couple of travel pins—nothing fancy, but clearly someone’s keepsakes. I picked them up and brought them here, hoping the owner will recognize them. No names were attached to the pins, so I’m posting them on the site in the hope they’ll find their way home.

Solomons Island marina about 2 months ago

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Found belts near Solomons Island boardwalk

Hi, I'm Lauren Brooks. I found a couple of belts yesterday afternoon along the Solomons Island boardwalk in Southern Maryland, around 3:15 PM, near the lighthouse. There are two black leather belts with brass buckles and a brown fabric belt; they look worn but useful. I left them on a bench where people sit to watch the boats, hoping to help the owner recognize them. If these belong to you, please reach out through the site and we can arrange a pickup near Solomons Island Lighthouse.

Solomons Island boardwalk near the lighthouse 3 months ago