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

Helpful resources for Bellingham

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Bellingham

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Black Wayfarer-style glasses found near Mount Baker Theatre

I found a pair of black Wayfarer-style glasses this afternoon around 3:10pm behind the Mount Baker Theatre on Cornwall Ave in Downtown Bellingham. They’re matte black plastic frames with rectangular lenses and tortoiseshell temple tips. There’s a tiny blue sticker on the inner right temple and a small scratch along the bottom edge of the left lens. They were in a bright red soft pouch with a white logo. I know how upsetting it is to lose glasses, so I’d love to get them back to their owner—if these belong to you, message me and we can meet up nearby, say near the theatre box office or Lincoln Park.

Bellingham 4 months ago

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Blue Nike swim trunks found behind Bellis Fair

Found a pair of men's Nike swim trunks in electric blue with white piping and a lime-green drawstring. I found them this afternoon around 2:45pm in the parking lot behind Bellis Fair Mall on Lindbergh Ave in Bellingham. They’re size L and look gently used, with a small navy seagull embroidery on the back pocket and a faint saltwater stain near the waistband. If these are yours, DM me here and we can arrange a quick meetup near the mall to get them back.

Bellingham 4 months ago

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Found missing teen near Fairhaven Park

I found a missing teen this afternoon around 2:15pm near the fountain by the Whatcom Museum parking lot in the Fairhaven area of Bellingham. He is about 5 foot 7 inches tall, sandy hair, wearing a red hoodie, navy jeans, and white sneakers. He has a black backpack with a blue enamel star pin on the strap and a silver dog tag peeking out. There is a small scar above his left eyebrow. He seemed overwhelmed and asked me to help him get in touch with his family. If you recognize this description or know where he belongs, email me at [email protected] so I can help reunite him with his guardians.

Bellingham 5 months ago

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Found: Silver Seiko watch with engraved initials

Found a watch this afternoon around 3:15pm on the Boulevard Park boardwalk near the water feature by Cornwall Ave in Bellingham. It's a silver stainless steel Seiko with a black leather strap, white dial, and a small scratch at 3 o'clock. On the inside back case there's an engraving of the initials 'JH' and the leather shows some wear from daily use. It was sitting on the railing, not far from where joggers were passing, so I figured someone might be missing it after a coffee run. If this sounds like yours, tell me the engraving details or the last time you wore it and we can arrange a meetup to return it.

Bellingham 5 months ago

found A

Navy blue knit scarf with compass pin found

I found a navy blue knit scarf this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Starbucks on Cornwall Ave in downtown Bellingham. It's about 60 inches long, made of soft acrylic, with a small silver compass pin clipped to the edge and a faint coffee stain near the corner. The scarf is unbranded, with a thick fringe at both ends and light pilling from wear. One end has a tiny stitch that forms a loose heart shape—really unique. If the owner recognizes it, please reach out, I'd love to return it to you.

Bellingham 6 months ago

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Silver ring with sapphire found near Mount Baker Theatre

I found a silver ring this afternoon around 3:15 pm in front of the Mount Baker Theatre on Cornwall Ave, here in Bellingham. It's a sterling silver ring, roughly a size 6 or 7, with a small blue sapphire bezel-set at the top. There's a delicate crescent moon engraving on the inner band and a tiny dent on the outer rim near 2 o'clock. It looks a bit worn but clean. I can tell it may hold sentimental value for someone, and I want to help get it back to its owner. If this sounds like yours, share a detail like the engraving or approximate purchase date, and we can arrange a safe handoff.

Bellingham 6 months ago