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: Chairs near Butte Public Library.

This afternoon, around 2:15 p.m., I wandered out by Main Street and found a stack of chairs outside the Butte Public Library in Butte, Montana. They were stacked near the entrance after a small community gathering, with a couple of legs slightly out of line but still usable. I grabbed them to keep them from being knocked over and posted here so the rightful owner can claim them. I know how chaotic events can be when seating runs short, so I hoped these chairs would help someone in Butte.

Main Street outside the Butte Public Library 19 days ago

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Found: Swimsuits near the Berkeley Pit overlook, Butte

I was out for a morning run along the Riverside Trail by the Berkeley Pit overlook at 7:50 AM today when I spotted a tote with several swimsuits left on a bench. They were bright colors—turquoise and coral—streaked with water droplets and a sun-bleached tag. It felt like someone planned a quick swim and forgot their gear in a rush before work. I’m posting this in hopes the owner sees it and can get their suits back before the next hot day in Butte.

Riverside Trail near the Berkeley Pit overlook, Butte about 1 month ago

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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 3 months 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 3 months 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 4 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 4 months ago