Lost and found

[overstim.livejournal.com]

Lost and found posts are pretty common here, and they always irk me.

"I found xxx in a cab, let me know if its yours". Well, if I lost something, and I'm pretty sure it was in a cab, I'd call the cab company, not check LiveJournal. The sense of responsibility and community here is impressive and rare and heartwarming, but also often counterproductive.

So I got to thinking– should we designate some public space as an all-purpose lost and found? Say, if you find anything within a .5 mile radius of Davis Square, you'll drop it off at Diesel, or the Somerville Theatre or something. That way if I lose something, I'd only have to check one place, not every person I know, several school bulletin boards, several LJ communities and several Craigslist pages. Think some local business would be interested in this?

Comments

[magg1es.livejournal.com]

I don't agree that people should not pick things up if they are lost and post about them. What I do agree with is the fact that it may not be as effective as dropping it off at a police station. How about a hybrid? Pick it up, post about it, then drop it off at a police station.

The idea of a community lost and found is a good idea. People who are generally out and about in Davis will find some way of hearing about it. The problem may be tacking things up in competing stores. I do not believe the cafe down the street will enjoy have Diesel's name posted on their walls. But! Being as Diesel almost shuts down every other year, they might appreciate the additional business from fliers around the square.

I say, write something up... Perhaps we could hold a community meeting discussing a way to effectively execute this.

[ratushebarl.livejournal.com]

Er, we already have a community lost-and-found. It's at the police station. We pay taxes to support it. If you find a lost object of any value, you should use it. It works. No meetings or hassling of local businesses necessary.

[magg1es.livejournal.com]

If I ever kept something without making an effort to return it to its' owner, sure.

But until I am a jerk, or like going to police stations, I like the idea of a community lost and found.