Finders Keepers - NOT!!!

Funny thing happened a few weeks ago. To make a long story short I went "dumpster diving" and came up with just a whole BUNCH of loot. To the extent I had concerns that there shouldn't have been that much "Stuff" in the dumpster at that time. Found an ID I believed associated with it and tried most ways to tie down the presumed previous owner. No such luck. Called the police dept. (non capitalization purposeful) and they came and investigated (yeah right). They did come out, took a report and some of the "found goods" telling me that if it went unclaimed I could then claim them. Placed three (3) different calls to the detective handling the case before he finally returned my call and I was "grilled" over the phone as to why I was interested in the case's resolution. I said I wanted the property back if the case had gone nowhere. He said he wasn't sure I could get it back.

Well, he just called back and said: "It is the POLICY of the department that anything turned in can only be claimed by its owner". I suppose from a legal standpoint as finder, I could claim ownership if unclaimed by anyone else; however, that's a lot of work to go through for an item of minor value. So, I'm glad I didn't turn over everything.......... I guess. Wish I could find out some more details, but the police department doesn't seem too interested. If no news turns up in the next few weeks I'll pursue liquidation of the balance.

BUT, the major purpose behind this post is: "What would one do if they had instead found a sum of cash?" After this lesson I suppose I'd be reticent to contact the police. Looks to me like we have waaay too much in the way of rules in this Country and waaay too little in the way of common sense nowdays.

Y'all be careful out there.