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: toasters near Capitol Ave parking lot

Yesterday at 4:15 PM, I was walking through the parking lot behind the South Dakota State Capitol on Capitol Ave in Pierre when I spotted a small bag tucked beneath a bench. Inside were two toasters, still warm and neatly packed in a tote liner. They looked like someone's everyday kitchen staple, probably left behind in a hurry after a quick stop downtown. It tugged at me to think of reuniting them with their owner, and I hope this helps.

Sentimental

Capitol Ave, behind the South Dakota State Capitol, Pierre 12 days ago

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Found carry-ons near the State Capitol, Pierre

I was out for a late afternoon walk along East Capitol Avenue and stopped to rest on the steps of the State Capitol around 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday when I spotted two carry-ons tucked behind a bench overlooking the Missouri River. They’re a black roller bag and a grey duffel, both scuffed from travel. I checked for a tag but there was nothing clearly identifying an owner, so I kept watch from a safe distance and moved the bags to a more visible spot near the Capitol entrance, hoping a rightful owner would notice. It felt unreal at first, but the relief when I decided to post this here was huge.

State Capitol steps, East Capitol Ave 23 days ago

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Found utensils beside Capitol Ave, Pierre.

This afternoon, around 4:15 p.m., I found a small set of utensils on the sidewalk along Capitol Avenue in Pierre, right by the State Capitol. There's a fork, a spoon, and a knife, all a bit greasy from a quick meal outdoors. The knife has a chipped edge, which makes me think someone was eating outside not long ago. It felt odd to stumble upon someone else's items, and I hope the owner will see this post and reclaim them.

Capitol Ave by the State Capitol, Pierre. about 1 month ago

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Found GPS devices near Missouri Riverfront, Pierre SD

I found two GPS devices on a bench along the Missouri Riverfront Trail near the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Pierre around 6:20 p.m. on Sunday. One device is in a black hard case with a car charger, the other in a blue fleece pouch; both have screens that still light up. They seem important to someone who was planning a trip or keeping maps, and I hope the owner can recognize them soon. I hope the owner can recognize them soon.

Missouri Riverfront Pierre SD about 2 months ago

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FOUND Equipment for Various Sports

I was walking along the riverfront trail in Pierre around 6:45 pm on Tuesday when I spotted a bag stuffed with sports gear under a bench near the Missouri River overlook. Inside there were a yellow helmet, knee pads, a couple of racquets, a duffel bag, and a water bottle. It looked like someone planned a city league practice. I’m posting this as found so the owner can claim it. Please check if this sounds like your gear, and reach out through the site if it does so we can arrange a safe handoff.

near the Missouri River overlook, Pierre about 2 months ago

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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 2 months ago