My over-developed sense of guilt is kicking in.

[intheflow]

And I'm not Jewish or Catholic!

I took the Metro into DC for the inaug protests, and looked over at the seat next to me on down the line and noticed a camera bag. Checked for id--there was none. In the bag were two cameras: a very nice Olympia point and shoot, and a high-end point and shoot Canon digital.

Tried to turn them into Metro lost and found and was told by Metro police that they'd have to blow the cameras up due to increased levels of security. Rather than do that, I kept the cameras.

Now, it's 99% sure that these cameras belonged to a Repug because most of the pictures on the digital were of various types of weapondry in glamorous lighting. :puke:

Still, I feel guilty. Is there any help for me? Should I write Auntie Pinko about this?

[papau]

1. Repubs of stature do not ride Metro

perhaps weapon shots taken by a terrorist?

Perhaps best if you send the cameras to me?

:toast:

:-)

[Spinzonner]

2. Could take out a classified ad documenting the find

but omitting all detail about the cameras.

Presumably only the owner would know the details, especially with really expensive ones.

Wonder if the newspaper would do it for free since it's not for your personal benefit ...

[intheflow]

3. Yes, but what newspaper?

I traveled to DC from Denver. These folks could have been from anywhere. :shrug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. If you ask me, you did all you can do to take them back.

They're yours now. Enjoy them with a clear conscience.

[Spinzonner]

5. I'd have to expect that if the person who lost it

had any expectation of finding it they'd check DC papers since any alternative is impractical for the reasons you stated.

Would the Metro police keep a record of the find and a description for them to check people who might inquire about the loss ? And then notify you if someone successfully identifies them.

If you dont want to leave it completely in their hands you could set up a yahoo or hotmail or other special email box for people to contact with a description and the police could refer inquirers to ue that.

Of course, how conscientious do you feel about it to go to such effort ...

[LynzM]

6. As a fellow sufferer of over-developed guilt,

I can imagine what you're feeling. I agree, you've done what you can to find the owner. If it's really eating you, sell them on eBay and give the proceeds to a worthy cause, and know you've done some good!

[DS1]

7. What's the name/model of that high-end Canon digital?

I needs ta know

[Spinzonner]

8. There's also this

http://www.lostandfound.com/

[miss_kitty]

9. See if you can get owner info from the serial numbers

or if the company would pass the message along to the owner it is registered to, if they won't give out the info. Or see if they'll give you the name of the store they shipped the gear to. Then see if the store has records of the sale.

If they didn't register them and didn't have the sense to put name and a contact number in the bag, I'd say-they're yours. If the original owners did not go to any kind of trouble to ensure their property would be returned, they must be able to afford replacements.

[tjdee]

10. Blow them up??

It never ceases to amaze me, the ridiculousness of how we do some things.

I would take an ad out in one of the DC papers-- do they have a free weekly that is distributed near Metro stations?

Advertise/try to find the folks for two-four weeks, then enjoy your cameras or sell them on eBay and give the proceeds to tsunami relief or a liberal cause.

Actually--the owner may find them on eBay!!

[SOteric]

11. Would it make you feel better

if you sold the cameras on eBay and gave the proceeds to a Democratic cause?

[Donailin]

12. You did what you were supposed to do already

Now keep them and use them. Maybe the PTB wanted them to be used for better purposes than the previous owner used them for.

Be happy, rejoice!

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. I think you can keep them guilt free. I look at this way:

The person who owned them was sloppy on a couple counts: a) she/he didn't bother to put identifying information in the camera bag; b) they're the ones who left it on the train - you didn't take them, they were left behind.

Now, obviously, it was an accidental left behind, which leads me to point c) you did all the due diligence that should be required of a finder of a lost thing. You were a good samaritan, in that you looked for ID, saw there was none, and so then took it to lost and found. L&F told you either to keep it, or give it to them to blow it up.

I don't think you have to do anything else to try to return it. Running an ad in one paper ain't gonna do it. More than likely, whoever owns the camera was a tourist, not a local, and you have no idea where that person is from.

However, a really good detective and knowledgable person SHOULD be able to look at all the pictures, if there are any from outside DC, and judging by terrain and lighting and clothing and hair styles and some other things, should be able to at least figure out which state - possibly even which city - the owner is from (especially if there are any signs, etc.).

But, hell, you did what you could to get it back to the owner. The odds are utterly stacked against you here, so go ahead and enjoy the new cameras.