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 Skagit / Island / SJI? 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 Skagit / Island / SJI; 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 Skagit / Island / SJI with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Skagit / Island / SJI

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Skagit / Island / SJI

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Found microwaves near Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal

I was walking along the Friday Harbor waterfront around 3:40 pm last Wednesday when I spotted two microwaves propped beside a dumpster behind the ferry terminal maintenance yard. They were in a dusty box, cords tangled, and there wasn’t any label that gave away who they belonged to. I picked them up and brought them to the port office Lost & Found, hoping to help the owner reclaim them. I hope this helps the rightful owner recover their belongings.

Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal, Friday Harbor, WA 13 days ago

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Found: Sterling bracelet with sea-glass charm

I found a bracelet this afternoon around 1:45pm near the Friday Harbor ferry terminal on Front Street, San Juan Island. It's a slim sterling silver bracelet with a pale blue sea-glass charm and a tiny compass bead that shines in the sun. The inside of the clasp has a small engraving that looks like initials 'A.L.' and the finish is brushed, not shiny. I wiped off the dirt and tucked it into a Lost-and-Found box outside the terminal, hoping the owner will see this and come forward.

Skagit / Island / SJI about 2 months ago

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Orange LED pumpkin lantern found near Oak Harbor marina

I found a bright orange LED pumpkin lantern this afternoon around 3:15pm on the sidewalk by the Oak Harbor marina, a small seasonal Halloween decor piece. It's about 6 inches tall, made of sturdy plastic, and the glow comes from a warm amber LED behind a carved jack-o'-lantern face. There’s a tiny green leaf sticker on the stem and the battery-compartment cover has a small dent from a fall, but it’s still in good condition overall. It clearly lived on someone’s porch for Halloween and I figured it’d be nice to get it back to its owner before the season winds down. If this is yours, reply here and we can figure out a pickup in Oak Harbor.

Skagit / Island / SJI about 2 months ago

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Gray canvas tote with leather bottom

I found a gray canvas tote bag this afternoon around 2:45pm near the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal on Spring Street, San Juan Island. It's a medium-sized bag, about 14 inches wide and 12 inches tall, with a dark brown leather bottom and sturdy black straps. The front has a small embroidered compass patch, and inside I spotted a red hardcover notebook and a blue umbrella with a chipped tip. The bag seems in good condition, a bit dusty from the walk, and there's a set of keys on a silver carabiner tucked under the main zipper pouch. I figured someone must be missing it after their ride; I’d like to see it returned to its owner. If you lost it, describe the notebook title or the compass patch to claim it.

Skagit / Island / SJI 4 months ago

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Black Zoom H6 recorder found near Starbucks in Anacortes

I found a black Zoom H6 Handy Recorder this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Starbucks on 11th Street in downtown Anacortes. It’s in a gray protective case with a tiny dent on the top left corner and a blue whale sticker on the back. The display is clean, all the buttons respond when pressed, and there’s a 32GB microSD card tucked inside along with a spare windscreen that sits a bit loose. I know someone might be missing this and it probably means a lot to them—these recorders can be sentimental or essential for gigs and field work. If this belongs to you, drop me a line at [email protected] with a quick description to verify.

Skagit / Island / SJI 5 months ago

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Gray tote bag with pink scarf near Friday Harbor

I found a gray canvas tote bag this afternoon around 3:45pm near the Friday Harbor ferry terminal on San Juan Island. It's a medium-sized bag, faded gray, with a pink scarf tied to the handle that's hard to miss. Inside I found a spiral notebook with a dog doodle, a reusable coffee mug, and a small keyring with a house key. There's a red embroidered initial 'J' on the bottom corner and a tiny coffee stain on the bottom edge, but otherwise it's in decent shape. If this is yours, I’d really like to help get it back to you.

Skagit / Island / SJI 5 months ago