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

Helpful resources for Tri-Cities

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Tri-Cities

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found: Appliances — Tri-Cities, Tennessee

I was out for a walk near Kingsport Town Center this morning around 11:20 AM when I spotted a pile of appliances tucked behind the loading dock by the riverfront in the Tri-Cities area. There were a microwave, a toaster oven, a blender, and some cookware, all dusty but intact, stacked in a weathered box. I figured someone must be missing these, so I brought them here to help with a quick reunite. If you recognize these items, please check back here.

near the loading dock behind Kingsport Town Center 2 days ago

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Found: studs near Johnson City Library steps

I found a pair of stud earrings on the sidewalk near the Johnson City Public Library steps on Main Street around 7:10 p.m. last Friday. They’re small, gold-tone with clear stones, and they still have their butterfly backs. I picked them up and kept them in a safe spot, hoping to reunite them with their owner. It felt like a small connection restored, and I’d love to see these finds go back to someone who misses them.

near the Johnson City Public Library steps, Main Street 5 days ago

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Found: Equipment for Various Sports in downtown Tri-Cities, TN

I found this Equipment for Various Sports in the Tri-Cities, Tennessee, United States area today. I was leaving a late practice near Market Street Plaza in downtown Johnson City and spotted a gray duffel by a bench around 4:30 p.m. Inside were a basketball, a tennis racket, and muddy cleats with a few jerseys sticking out. It felt like someone would be heartbroken to realize they had misplaced it, so I tucked it into my car and hoped posting here would help reunite it with its owner.

near Market Street Plaza, downtown Johnson City about 1 month ago

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Enamel pin collection in clear display tin

I found a small clear display tin full of vintage enamel pins this morning around 10am in the Tri-Cities, behind the Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick, near the Red Robin entrance. The tin is about 3x2 inches with a red border, and inside is a quick set: a silver rocket pin, a blue planet, and a red volcano pin, each about 1 inch tall. The pins are in good condition with bright colors, though the rocket pin has a tiny scratch on its enamel edge that catches the light. If someone recognizes them as theirs, I’m happy to hand them over and help arrange a meetup.

Tri-Cities 2 months ago

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Green parakeet with blue tail found

I found a green parakeet this afternoon around 2:45pm near the Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick, right outside the food court entrance. It's a small-to-mid-sized bird, mostly lime green with a bright yellow head and a cobalt blue tail that really catches the eye. There’s a tiny red leg band on the right leg labeled 'L4'—could be a breeder tag or something similar. The bird seems healthy and friendly, chirping softly when I approached, and it perched on my finger for a moment before hopping to the railing. I know how much a pet can mean to someone, so if this is your bird, please reach out so we can arrange a safe reunion.

Tri-Cities 2 months ago

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Gray North Face backpack with orange zipper pulls

I found a gray North Face backpack this afternoon around 3:20pm behind the Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick, in the Tri-Cities, near the cinema entrance. It's a 25-liter daypack in good condition with a few scuffs on the bottom corner and bright orange zipper pulls. Inside, there’s a small red panda keychain on the zipper and a blue mesh pencil case tucked in the main pocket. If you’re missing a backpack like this, I’d really like to get it back to its owner—happy to meet up or drop it at the mall security desk for verification.

Tri-Cities 2 months ago