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

Helpful resources for Butte

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Butte

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Found driver's license in downtown Butte

I was walking home from the grocery store around 7:45 p.m. last Friday when I spotted a driver's license sitting on the sidewalk near the Berkeley Pit overlook. I picked it up and kept it safe, hoping to reunite it with its owner. The card looks weathered, but the name on it is clearly visible and indicates a local address in Butte. I turned it over to local authorities, and I'm posting here to help the owner verify ownership. It's a personal item, and I hope to see the owner's smile when they get it back.

Near the Copper King Mansion, downtown Butte 15 days ago

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FOUND sheet music near Butte-Silver Bow Public Library

I FOUND sheet music on a windy Friday afternoon, tucked between a bench and a planter outside the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library. The pages were coffee-stained and the cover a little worn, like it had spent hours in someone's backpack. I picked it up at about 3:20 pm and stood there imagining who might be missing this set of songs for rehearsal. I’m glad to hold onto it here until the owner sees this listing and claims it.

near the main entrance of the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library 26 days ago

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Found JBL Bluetooth speaker with blue strap

I found a JBL portable Bluetooth speaker this afternoon around 3:15 pm behind the Butte Public Library on Main Street. It’s a compact, matte-black speaker with a brushed aluminum top and a small dent on the bottom-right corner. A blue fabric strap loops through the carry handle, and there’s a back sticker that reads LB-02—an easy identifying feature. It’s clearly in good working condition and not mine, so I’m hoping to help reunite it with its owner. If you’re the owner and the sticker code matches LB-02, share a quick detail and I’ll get it back to you soon.

Butte about 2 months ago

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Found white cockatiel near library

I found a white cockatiel with bright orange cheeks and a sunny yellow crest this afternoon around 2:45pm, perched on a light post outside the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library on West Park Street. It seems in good health and was pretty chatty when I approached. The bird wears a blue leg band with the code 'A3' and has a small notch in the tail feather that's easy to spot. I’ve kept it safe in a carrier for now, hoping to find its owner soon. If you recognize this bird or you’re the owner, please get in touch so we can arrange a meetup near the library; I’d really love to get it back home.

Butte 2 months ago

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Green leather stamp album with brass clasp found in Butte

I found a small green leather stamp album with a brass clasp behind the Copper King Hotel on Main Street this afternoon around 3:20pm. It's about 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide, the leather is worn but still attractive, with a gold crest embossed on the front. Inside are a handful of vintage stamps from the 1950s, many with light purple and green cancellations, and a loose page with the initials 'J.P.' written in pencil. The album feels special, like someone tucked away a quiet collection, and I’d love to get it back to its owner. If you recognize it, tell me how many stamps are in the inner sleeve or the owner's initials to confirm.

Butte 3 months ago

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Blue Kurgo dog harness with reflective stripe

Found a blue Kurgo dog harness with a bright neon yellow reflective stripe this afternoon around 4:15pm. It’s a medium size, a bit worn but still sturdy, with a metal D-ring and a white paw print embroidered on the strap. I spotted it in the parking lot behind the Butte Public Library on Main Street, lying on the curb near a faded red Frisbee. If this is yours, send me a quick message with your dog's name and a detail about the buckle to verify.

Butte 3 months ago