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 Pierre / Central SD? 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 Pierre / Central SD; 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 Pierre / Central SD with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Pierre / Central SD

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Pierre / Central SD

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Found holiday decorations in Pierre

I was walking along Sioux Avenue near the Missouri Riverfront in downtown Pierre around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday when I found a tote bag stuffed with holiday decorations—a tinsel garland, a string of multicolored lights, and a couple of red bows. It looked like someone was getting ready for a Christmas display, but their stuff was left behind. I turned the tote in to the Pierre City Hall Lost and Found near the Capitol Building, hoping the owner sees this and can reclaim their decorations soon.

near the Capitol Building, Pierre 1 day ago

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Found sheet music near Capitol Building steps, Pierre

I found a bundle of sheet music along Main Street in Pierre around 3:15 p.m. yesterday, lying on the Capitol Building steps. There’s no name visible, just crinkled pages and a few pencil annotations. It looks like something a student or local musician carried to practice, and it would mean a lot to the owner to have it back. I left it in a safe spot nearby so the site could help reconnect the right person with their music.

Capitol Building steps, Pierre 23 days ago

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Found vintage Star Wars action figure set

Found a vintage Star Wars action figure set this afternoon around 2:15pm along the Riverfront Park walking path by the Main Street bridge in Pierre, SD. The set includes two 3.75-inch figures in their original blister packaging, with blue cardbacks and a slightly yellowed price sticker from the 1983 catalog. The box shows light edge wear and a small crease along the top flap, but the figures themselves look untouched. A tiny red 'QC' dot on the back and the 'Kenner 1983' text on the side are nice identifying details. It seems like something a collector would miss badly, and I’d love to get it back to its owner. Reply with the catalog year stamped on the back or the red dot location if this sounds like yours.

Pierre / Central SD 2 months ago

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Found vintage stamp collection album

Found a red, worn stamp collection album this afternoon around 3:15pm. It has a burgundy faux-leather cover with a gold-embossed title reading 'U.S. & World Stamp Collection.' Inside there are sheets from the 1950s and 60s, a few stamps with clear postmarks, and a small pencil note on the first page that reads 'Linda – stamp collection' in neat handwriting. I found it on a bench near the Capitol Building in Pierre, SD, tucked under a maple tree at the 7th Street entrance by the riverfront walkway. The binder is a bit faded but intact, and the stamps look reasonably well-preserved; clearly a serious collector's item. If this sounds like yours, drop me a line with the contents on that first page so we can arrange pickup.

Pierre / Central SD 3 months ago

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Blue paperback found near Main Street, Pierre

Found a blue paperback this afternoon around 2:45pm behind the Pierre Public Library on Main Street. It's a pocket-sized mystery novel with a bright blue cover and a white title that stands out. The spine is cracked and there's a coffee ring on the back cover; inside, a small green Post-it tucked between the pages says 'Jamie' in neat handwriting. The pages are dog-eared from a few good reads, but it's otherwise in decent condition. If this is yours or you recognize the note, I'm happy to reunite it with you.

Pierre / Central SD 4 months ago

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Silver-tone bracelet found near Riverfront Park

I found a silver-tone bracelet this afternoon around 3:15pm, lying on the sidewalk near Riverfront Park along Main Street in Pierre. It's a 7-inch stainless steel chain with a small turquoise bead and a heart charm. The inside of the clasp has initials 'LA' engraved, and the bracelet is a little scuffed but fully usable. It feels like someone put real care into it, and I hate the idea of it being without its owner—if it's yours, I'm hoping to get it back.

Pierre / Central SD 5 months ago