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

Helpful resources for Bemidji

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Bemidji

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Found photographs near the Sanford Center, Bemidji

I found these photographs on Tuesday, May 12, around 6:40 p.m., tucked beneath a bench near the Sanford Center in Bemidji. The envelope held several prints—there's a family photo in front of a cabin by Lake Bemidji, and a snapshot of friends posing at a party in the late '90s. The images feel like someone’s precious memory, worn at the edges and full of little smiles. I don’t know who they belong to, but they deserve to be seen again. If you recognize the people or the places, please reach out through the site and we’ll get them back to you.

Sentimental

near the Sanford Center, Bemidji 1 day ago

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Found Radios near Diamond Point Park

I was walking home from a friend’s place in Bemidji on Friday around 7:15 p.m. when I found a small black pouch labeled Radios on a bench near the Paul Bunyan statue at Diamond Point Park. Inside were two handheld radios with a charger and a few spare batteries. The wind was chilly and the lake reflected the streetlights like glass. I imagined the owner might be worried about their gear, and I felt a rush of responsibility to help reunite them with it. I kept the pouch safe and brought it here so the rightful owner can claim it through the site.

near the Paul Bunyan statue at Diamond Point Park about 1 month ago

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Found adapters near Bemidji Public Library

I was leaving the Bemidji Public Library steps around 2:45 pm this past Friday when I spotted a small bundle tucked under a bench. It turned out to be a handful of adapters—USB-C, micro USB, and a few older plug types. They were in a black pouch with a red logo, a few cables peeking out. I figured they belonged to someone else who travels light, maybe heading to the desk to charge up. It felt like a small bit of someone else’s routine left behind in a busy day, and I wanted to help reunite them with their owner.

near the Bemidji Public Library steps 2 months ago

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Navy blue duvet cover with pine tree embroidery

I found a navy blue queen-size duvet cover this afternoon around 2:15pm near Diamond Point Park along the Lake Bemidji boardwalk. It's a soft cotton-poly blend with a smooth zipper and no rips. The top-left corner features a subtle pine tree embroidery, and there's a small white initials tag on the inner hem reading 'KB'. Overall it's in good shape, just needs a proper home. If this looks familiar, I’m happy to help reunite the owner.

Bemidji 4 months ago

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Red Nike running sneakers, size 9

I found a pair of red Nike running sneakers this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Bemidji Public Library on 3rd Street. They're size 9 and in pretty good shape, with a white sole and a small scuff on the left toe. The mesh upper is bright red, and there's a neon-green lace lock on the right shoe plus a blue reflective strip along the heel. They seem recently worn, and I figured someone might be missing them and they'd mean a lot to them. If these belong to you, I’d be happy to help return them—shoot me a note at [email protected] to arrange a pickup.

Bemidji 4 months ago

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Leopard gecko with orange spots found near library

I found a small leopard gecko this afternoon around 2:30pm near the Bemidji Public Library on Beltrami Ave NW. It's about 3-4 inches long from snout to tail, tan with bright orange spots along the back and a slightly fat tail. The tail is a bit kinked at the end. One distinguishing feature is a tiny crescent-shaped scar just under its right eye, and the left hind toe looks worn. It seemed calm in the sun near the library steps, so I kept it in a plastic container and stood by the information desk to see if anyone would claim it.

Bemidji 5 months ago