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

Helpful resources for Humboldt County

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Humboldt County

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Found flute near Arcata Plaza in Humboldt County

I was walking around Arcata Plaza last Saturday around 3:15 PM when I spotted a silver flute resting on a bench near the gazebo. The case was a touch scuffed, and the lip plate had faint initials carved into it, like J.S. I picked it up carefully, checked for any obvious personal notes, and carried it to the Humboldt County Library’s lost-and-found desk so it could be reunited with its owner. I’m posting this in hopes the rightful owner sees it and recognizes the markings and that worn case. It felt like a small, hopeful moment in a busy day.

Near the Arcata Plaza fountain 15 days ago

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Found photographs near Arcata Plaza, Humboldt County.

I found these photographs on Thursday, around 4:15 PM, tucked beneath a bench at the Arcata Plaza in Humboldt County. They look like a personal collection—an old portrait, a seaside shot, and a map with handwritten notes. I sat with them for a moment, feeling a tug of curiosity and responsibility, like I was holding a window into someone’s memories. I kept them safe, not wanting them to blow away in the coastal breeze, and I hope the owner recognizes them and is glad they’re not lost anymore.

Sentimental

Arcata Plaza bench 17 days ago

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Found toasters in Humboldt County, California

This morning around 9:15 a.m. I was wandering through Old Town Eureka and spotted two toasters resting on a bench outside a cafe on 2nd Street. They were clean and looked recently unused, with a little crumb of coffee still in the air. I figured someone must be missing them, so I picked them up and brought them here. If these belong to you, please reply through the site so we can arrange a proper return.

Old Town Eureka, near 2nd Street cafe 18 days ago

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Black Ray-Ban style sunglasses; initials engraved on temple

I found a pair of black Ray-Ban style sunglasses this afternoon around 2:30pm behind the Carson Mansion in Old Town Eureka, Humboldt County. They’re in decent shape, black plastic frames with a medium fit, and the lenses have a small scratch near the left corner. There’s a tiny engraving 'AK' on the inside of the right temple that could help verify ownership. I picked them up because I figured someone might be looking for them and they looked recently worn but cared for. If these belong to you, DM me with the brand and the engraving, plus when you last wore them.

Humboldt County about 2 months ago

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Navy blue travel neck pillow with JetSet logo

I found a navy blue travel neck pillow this morning around 11am in the parking lot behind the Samoa Cookhouse on Main Street in Samoa, Humboldt County. It's a standard travel size with a soft microfiber cover. There’s a small white JetSet logo on the side, plus a faint red coffee ring near the seam and a tiny red stitching heart on the inner edge. The fabric is a little pilled from use, but it’s still comfy and clearly loved by a traveler. If this belongs to you, I’d be glad to help reunite it with its owner.

Humboldt County about 2 months ago

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Blue ceramic mixing bowl with wooden spoon

I found a blue ceramic mixing bowl this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Humboldt Co-op on 4th Street in Eureka. It's a 2-quart bowl with a glossy glaze and a tiny chip along the rim that’s noticeable up close. The wooden spoon that came with it is a little worn and has a coffee stain near the handle. On the bottom there’s a faded sticker that reads 'M.S. Nguyen,' which is a pretty distinct identifying mark. If this belongs to you, I’d love to help get it back; we can meet up at the Co-op or arrange a pickup to make it easy to claim.

Humboldt County 3 months ago