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

Helpful resources for Springfield

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Springfield

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FOUND: USB drives near Lincoln Library, Springfield.

Hi, I’m Isla Park. I FOUND a bunch of USB drives on Tuesday around 11:15 a.m. outside the Lincoln Library on Capitol Street in Springfield. They were tucked into a small black case, and one drive had a sticker with a mountain and the initials SP. I kept them safe in my pocket for a while and asked a few people nearby if anyone was missing them, but no one stepped forward. I turned them in to the library staff so the rightful owner can retrieve them, hoping the search ends quickly.

Outside the Lincoln Library on Capitol Street. 6 days ago

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FOUND: Holiday decorations on Springfield porch

I was walking home from the Lincoln Park area around 6:30 pm this evening and found a bundle of holiday decorations on the front steps of a house on 9th Street, Springfield. The collection included twinkling lights, a wreath, and a Santa figurine tucked into a tote. They looked recently used but a bit weathered, like someone had planned to decorate soon and got sidetracked. I left them on the porch railing of the neighboring house and posted this, hoping the owner sees it soon.

Near the Lincoln Home National Historic Site 10 days ago

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Blue US passport found near Springfield Library

I found a navy blue US passport this afternoon around 2:15pm near the Springfield Public Library on Oak Street, tucked under the bench by the main entrance. The cover is in decent shape with the gold seal, but there’s a small coffee stain on the back and a tiny crease on the lower-right corner. There’s a travel-club sticker on the back and a faint scratch by the passport number page. I didn’t flip through any pages beyond confirming it wasn’t mine. If you’re missing it, tell me a couple identifying details and I’ll meet you to return it—library or nearby cafe works.

Springfield 20 days ago

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Tan leather tote found behind Riverfront Market, Springfield

I found a tan leather tote this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Riverfront Market on Main Street, Springfield. It's a mid-sized bag, about 14 inches wide and 11 inches tall, with gold hardware and a slightly worn exterior but clean interior. A small enamel sunflower pin sits on the zipper pull, and a teal scarf is tied to the handle—easy to spot in a crowded rack. Inside, there’s a receipt from a nearby cafe and a folded photo of a dog named Miko tucked in the inner pocket. If this belongs to you, send me a note here and we can arrange a pickup near the market.

Springfield about 2 months ago

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Gold-tone ring with sapphire, found near Court Square

I found a gold-tone ring with a small blue sapphire this afternoon around 4:05pm near the Court Square Fountain in Springfield. It's a simple band, roughly size 6.5, with the sapphire set in a bezel and a tiny nick along the outer edge that catches the light. Inside the band there's an engraving 'MP' and a short, barely noticeable scratch from wear. I spotted it sitting on the stone ledge by the fountain and tucked it into a clean cloth pouch in my bag. If you recognize these details, I'm happy to help reunite it with its owner.

Springfield about 2 months ago

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Found: DeWalt 20V drill kit in black case

I found a cordless drill kit this afternoon around 2:30pm in the parking lot behind Springfield Hardware on Oak Street. It's a DeWalt 20V cordless drill, yellow and black, tucked into a black plastic case with a few drill bits and a magnetic bit holder inside. The case has a blue painter’s tape label on the lid reading 'J.R.' and there’s a small dent on the corner; the battery indicator is cracked but it still powers up. I figured it belonged to someone who’s probably in a rush to finish a project, and I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner soon.

Springfield 4 months ago