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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Found shoes near Bellingham Farmers Market

I found a pair of shoes outside the Bellingham Farmers Market in Depot Market Square around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. They’re red and black running sneakers, with a scuff on the left toe and a squeaky sole that’s oddly comforting after a long day. They were tucked under a bench by Railroad Avenue close to the market entrance, looking a little faded after a busy afternoon of shoppers. I didn’t see a tag, so I kept them nearby in case the owner returns someday. I hope whoever lost them recognizes them soon.

Depot Market Square, Railroad Ave 3 days ago

found E

Found Nishiki Durango Racer 20 bicycle

Nishiki Durango Racer 20 bicycle. Found Monday, July 27 at 24th and Larrabee. Call to identify

Bellingham 17 days ago

found A

Found two canines in Bellingham.

On Friday around 7:40 p.m., I was walking along Boulevard Park by the water when two dogs followed me, tails wagging and a friendly bark. They wore mismatched collars with no tags, and they looked a bit lost but seemed sweet, so I kept them close as cars whizzed by on the street and scanned for someone who might be missing them. I led them toward the park entrance and waited near the railing while the sun sank behind Lummi Island’s silhouette in the distance. I can imagine the worry at home, and I hope whoever owns these can see this post and recognize them soon.

Boulevard Park, near the water 29 days ago

found N

Found toasters near Main Library, Bellingham

I found these two toasters outside the Main Library on Magnolia Street in downtown Bellingham at 4:15 PM on a gray Wednesday. One is stainless steel, the other matte black, their cords tangled as if someone hurried away. It struck me how everyday appliances carry someone’s plans—maybe a quick breakfast before work, or a family project gone awry. I hope the owner sees this and knows their way back here.

Outside the Main Library on Magnolia St about 1 month ago

found S

Found sheet music near Mount Baker Theatre.

I’m Sophie Bennett. While leaving a rehearsal around 5:15 pm on a Tuesday, I found a stack of sheet music outside the Mount Baker Theatre on Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham. The pages were marked with practice markings and a pencil note reading 'Ella Park' on the cover. The bindings were a little worn and a couple of pieces had dog-eared corners. I gathered the pile and brought it here to help the rightful owner retrieve it after a long day of playing. Whoever recognizes this music will understand the effort that went into those pages; I hope it ends up back with its player soon.

outside Mount Baker Theatre, Cornwall Ave 2 months ago

found P

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 7 months ago