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

Helpful resources for Southwest MS

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Southwest MS

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Found: Pins near Natchez Visitor Center.

I found these pins this afternoon, around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, near the Natchez Visitor Center along Canal Street. I was strolling back to my car after a quick coffee when I spotted a small cluster of bright pins lying on the curb. They look like someone dressed up a jacket or a hat for a local event, so I couldn’t just leave them there. I tucked them into my bag and kept them safe since then, hoping the owner will see this post and recognize them. If these are yours, I’ll be glad to help you reconnect through the site.

Canal Street, near Natchez Visitor Center 24 days ago

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Vintage Pokémon card binder with holo cards

Found a vintage Pokémon card binder this afternoon around 1:15pm in the parking lot behind the USM bookstore on Hardy Street. It's a red, 3-ring binder about 9x11 inches, corners a bit worn but the cover clean. Inside there are roughly 50-60 cards, with a few glossy holo cards peeking through; I spotted a Charizard holo early on. There’s a small blue dragon sticker on the inside cover and a snug elastic band that keeps the pages closed. If you’re missing a binder like this, shoot me a message so I can get it back to you.

Southwest MS about 1 month ago

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Found gray North Face backpack with panda keychain

I found a gray North Face backpack this afternoon around 3pm near the library on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg, in Southwest MS. It's in decent shape, about 18 inches tall with black straps, a red zipper pull on the main pocket, and a blue inner lining that peeks out when you open it. There's a small panda keychain clipped to one zipper and a faint initials stamp on the inner pocket—two identifying details that could help you confirm it's yours. If this sounds like yours, describe those features and what you found inside so we can verify ownership.

Southwest MS 2 months ago

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Oak coffee table with glass insert

I found an oak coffee table with a glass insert this afternoon around 3:15 pm behind the CVS on Hardy Street in Hattiesburg, Southwest MS. It’s a solid piece, about 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, with a dark oak finish and a glass center. There’s a small chip on the front left leg and a coffee-ring stain on the glass, plus a tiny heart sticker on the underside that reads 'HomeCo Vintage.' I figured someone might be missing it, so I left it where I found it, but can bring it to a safer spot if needed. If this is yours, message me here and we’ll arrange pickup once you can describe those identifying marks.

Southwest MS 3 months ago

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Red North Face puffer jacket found in Laurel

I found a red North Face puffer jacket this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the CVS on Main Street in Laurel, Southwest MS. It's a medium with black trim, a detachable hood, and a neon-orange inner lining that you can see when you unzip the front. There’s a small tear at the left cuff and a faint coffee stain along the hem from last week's rain. I know how important a jacket like this can be—it might be a favorite or a gift, and I’d love to get it back to its owner. If this sounds like yours, reach out and we’ll figure a safe swap or drop-off.

Southwest MS 3 months ago

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Bright orange harness with blue leash found near Walmart

I found a bright orange dog harness with a blue leash this afternoon around 2:45pm in the Walmart parking lot on Brookway Boulevard in Brookhaven, SW MS. The harness is small, with reflective trim and a scuff on the left strap near the plastic buckle; there's a tiny white paw-print patch on the inside that's easy to spot. The leash is about six feet, a bit frayed near the handle but still sturdy, with a silver clip. It looks recently dropped; I figured someone might be missing it because of the patch and the dirt smear on the buckle. If this is yours, share the brand on the harness or the letters on the tag, and I will set it aside for pickup within 24 hours.

Southwest MS 4 months ago