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

Helpful resources for The Thumb

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in The Thumb

found P

Blue North Face backpack found near downtown Bad Axe

I found a blue North Face backpack this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Main Street Bakery near the riverfront in downtown Bad Axe, The Thumb. It’s in decent shape, a bit dusty, with a neon green zipper pull and a small compass keychain hanging from the zipper. Inside, there’s a folded map and a weathered notebook with a doodle on the cover, along with a pink-capped water bottle in the side pocket. I’d love to get it back to its owner—this backpack looks important and, honestly, I’d want someone to do the same for me if I were in this spot.

The Thumb about 1 month ago

found P

Blue Penguin Classics paperback found near Book Nook

I found a well-loved blue paperback this afternoon around 2:45pm near the Book Nook on Main Street in downtown The Thumb. It's a Penguin Classics edition of a mystery novel, with a creased spine, dog-eared corners, and a coffee stain on the back cover. Inside, there's a red ribbon bookmark peeking out at pages 142-143, and a faint pencil note in the margin that says 'Clue: the old lighthouse'. If this belongs to you, I'd really like to help get it back - I know how much a favorite book can mean, especially when it was a gift or a memory.

The Thumb about 1 month ago

found J

Pink knit beanie with snowflake embroidery

I found a pink knit beanie with a white snowflake pattern, adult size, in pretty good condition with just a tiny snag along the edge. I found it this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Bad Axe Public Library on Main Street, tucked against the bench near the entrance. It has a small blue patch with a white star sewn near the cuff and a faint label on the inside that reads 'Nordic Threads'. It feels like a winter staple and I can imagine it means a lot to the person who wore it. If this is yours, I’d be glad to return it—seasonal gear like this should stay warm with its owner.

The Thumb about 2 months ago

found N

Navy duvet cover set with geometric pattern

I found a navy duvet cover set with matching shams this afternoon around 3:15pm, tucked behind the back entrance of the Port Huron Public Library on Military Street in The Thumb. It's a Nautica queen-size duvet cover in soft cotton, with a crisp white geometric lattice pattern. There’s a small coffee stain in the lower corner and a tiny silver monogram A.H. stitched near the zipper. The fabric feels relatively new and clean, so I figured it probably belongs to someone who would miss it soon. If this matches your bedding, share a distinguishing detail and we can arrange a safe return.

The Thumb 3 months ago

found P

Gold-tone bracelet with heart charm and initials

I found a gold-tone bracelet this afternoon around 3:15pm on the riverwalk near Pine Street, just outside The Thumb Market and the old fountain. It's a slim 6mm chain with a small heart charm and the initials 'A.P.' engraved neatly on the inner clasp. The enamel on the heart is a soft teal, and the bracelet shows only light wear—no major scratches, just a tiny tarnish on the clasp. It looks personal, like it meant something to someone, so I’d really like to get it back to its owner if you recognize it.

The Thumb 3 months ago

found A

Navy blue North Face hoodie found on Main Street

I found a navy blue North Face hoodie this afternoon around 3:20pm near the entrance of The Corner Market on Main Street in The Thumb. It's a men's size medium with a small white wave embroidery on the left chest and a slightly frayed drawstring at the hood. The zipper pull has a tiny chip and there's a faint coffee stain along the inside pocket—nothing that can't be washed out, but it gave away it was worn recently. If you're the owner, please reach out with a description of the drawstring color and the pocket linings so I can get it back to you.

The Thumb 3 months ago