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 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 2 days 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 11 days 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 about 1 month ago

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Found: Organizers in Waldorf parking lot

I was walking near the Waldorf Target when I saw a neat bundle of plastic organizers lying on the parking lot pavement around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday. It looked like someone had dropped a bundle of desk and kitchen organizers—clear plastic boxes with colored lids and a few labels still attached. I picked them up and kept them in my car, hoping the owner would see this listing. There wasn’t any name tag, so I’m posting here. They look almost new and would be useful to someone organizing a home or office.

Sentimental

Target parking lot, Waldorf about 2 months ago

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Black rectangular glasses with blue microfiber case

Found a pair of black rectangular glasses with a subtle tortoise pattern on the inside of the temples. They look like mid-range frames and are in good condition, with just a small scratch on the left lens near the corner. The right temple has a tiny etched star near the hinge, and there’s a blue microfiber cloth tucked inside a soft black case. I found them yesterday around 5:15 pm in the parking lot behind the Target on Crain Highway in Waldorf, Southern Maryland. If these are yours, I’d love to get them back to you—let me know how you’d like to recover them.

Southern Maryland 3 months ago

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Navy tote bag with anchor print found

I found a navy blue canvas tote bag this afternoon around 4:15pm in the parking lot behind the Calvert Marine Museum on Solomons Island Road in Solomons, Southern Maryland. It's about 12x14 inches, with a white anchor print and a brass zipper pull. Inside there's a small brass compass charm on a keyring and a worn photo sleeve with a kid's picture—no label on the outside. If this is yours, describe the contents of the sleeve or the charm and we can arrange a safe meet-up in the area to get it back.

Southern Maryland 4 months ago