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

found J

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 8 days ago

found P

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 about 2 months ago

found P

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 2 months ago

found P

Navy North Face jacket with red zipper pull

I found this navy blue North Face jacket this afternoon around 4:15pm in the parking lot behind the Calvert Marine Museum on Solomons Island Road in Solomons, MD. It's a men's medium, with a bright red zipper pull and a small embroidered dolphin on the left sleeve. The lining is gray fleece, and there's an orange stitch running along the inner hem that makes it easy to spot. It was sitting on a bench near the museum entrance, a bit dusty from the sea breeze but otherwise in good shape. I figured someone might be missing it, so here I am—if this sounds like yours, DM me with a description to confirm.

Southern Maryland 2 months ago

found P

Red knit Santa hat with white fur trim

I found a red knit Santa hat with white faux fur trim this afternoon around 2:15 pm in the parking lot behind the Walmart on Crain Highway in Waldorf, Southern Maryland. It's child-sized looking, with a cute little pinecone charm sewn on the cuff and a tiny coffee stain on the white trim. Inside there’s a pale blue fabric tag with the initials 'LT' in green thread. I picked it up because I figured someone probably dropped it while loading groceries. If this belongs to you, describe the charm, the initials, or the stain and I’ll bring it to you—seasonal stuff like this deserves to be back with its owner.

Southern Maryland 3 months ago

found P

Kindle Paperwhite e-reader with pink case

I found a Kindle Paperwhite e-reader this afternoon around 2:15pm in the parking lot behind the Walmart on Leonardtown Road in Waldorf, MD. It’s in good shape, black with a slim pink floral case that snaps on, and there’s a tiny scratch along the bottom edge. The screen lights up fine, and the wallpaper is a beach scene I can’t mistake—there’s a small sticker with the initials 'LM' on the inside of the case. It looks like it’s been carried around a bit but isn’t badly damaged. If this belongs to you, reply in the app so we can arrange a safe pickup, maybe at Walmart customer service or a nearby coffee shop.

Southern Maryland 3 months ago