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

Helpful resources for St Augustine

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in St Augustine

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Found holiday decorations in St. Augustine, Florida

I was walking back from the Castillo de San Marcos courtyard at 6:45 PM on Saturday when I found a box of holiday decorations tucked behind a planter by the Castillo gate. It wasn't mine, so I kept it safe and posted here to help reunite it with its owner. The bundle includes string lights, a red garland, and a few fragile glass ornaments with hand-painted details. The glow in those pieces reminded me of family gatherings, and I’d love to see them go back to someone who cherishes them as much as I did that evening.

Behind planter by Castillo de San Marcos gate 19 days ago

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Found pins near Castillo de San Marcos

I was strolling along Saint George Street around 6:45 PM on Tuesday when I spotted a small pin set left on a bench just outside the Castillo de San Marcos. The pins looked like a little collection from a local club—bright enamel colors, a compass, and a tiny lighthouse figure. There wasn’t a note or any contact information, so I kept them safe and decided to post here in case the owner sees it. I know how special a small pin can feel, especially when it marks a memory from this charming corner of town.

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near Castillo de San Marcos 20 days ago

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Found sheet music near Castillo de San Marcos, St Augustine

I was walking along St. George Street near the Castillo de San Marcos this morning, around 9:10 a.m., when I spotted a folder of sheet music left on a bench outside a cafe. The pages look like a mishmash of classical pieces with a few pencil notations in the margins. I picked it up and kept it safe as I wandered toward the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, hoping to help reunite it with its owner. Music has a way of finding its way home, and I would be happy to hand this back to someone who recognizes their name or initials on the cover.

St George Street near Castillo de San Marcos 28 days ago

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Found travel guide near St George Street

I found a paperback travel guide this afternoon around 2:15pm on St George Street, just outside a cafe by the Bridge of Lions. It's a paperback copy of The Art of Travel with a bright yellow cover and blue lettering. The corners are a little dog-eared and there's a slim red bookmark sticking out from page 134. On the inside cover someone wrote 'Maria Chen' in neat pen, and there's a faint coffee stain along the back. If you're the owner, I'd be happy to get it back to you in St Augustine.

St Augustine about 1 month ago

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Blue hardcover mystery novel, worn, found near Castillo

Found a blue hardcover mystery novel this afternoon around 2:45pm near the Castillo de San Marcos, tucked under a bench by the information kiosk. It's clearly well-loved—yellowing pages, a bent spine, and a dog-eared corner. Inside the cover there's a red ribbon bookmark and a small lighthouse sticker that might help identify the owner. If you're missing this, I can meet you near the Bridge of Lions or Plaza de la Constitución to hand it over.

St Augustine about 2 months ago

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Found Audi key fob with two keys and tool

Found Audi key fob partially buried in the sand as tide is coming in. Attached are 2 keys and a bright yellow Res Q Me emergency rescue escape tool. By Guy Harvey Resort on St Augustine Beach, 4/27/26.

St Augustine 2 months ago