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

Helpful resources for South Dakota

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in South Dakota

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Silver Fossil watch with black leather band

I found a silver Fossil watch with a black leather band this afternoon around 2:15 pm in the parking lot behind the Empire Mall on West 41st Street in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The case is stainless steel with a small scuff on the bezel and the leather strap shows light wear from daily use. The back is engraved with the initials 'R.K.' and there's a tiny scratch near the 3 o'clock mark, but the face is clear and easy to read. I spotted it near the cinema entrance and tucked it into a small ziplock in my pocket in case someone comes looking. If this might be yours, send me a message and we can arrange a safe return.

South Dakota 3 months ago

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Framed abstract painting found near Falls Park, Sioux Falls

Found a framed abstract painting this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Falls Park entrance on North Main Ave in Sioux Falls, SD. It's a 24x30 inch piece under a black metal frame with a few small scuffs along the bottom edge. The canvas features teal, charcoal gray, and ivory swirls with a tiny gold accent in the top left corner. There's a sticker on the back with the phrase 'Artist unknown' and a blue dot inventory label, which might help confirm ownership. I picked it up because it stood out on the sidewalk and I figured someone might be looking for it; happy to help return it to its rightful owner.

South Dakota 3 months ago

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Silver bracelet with heart charm found in Falls Park

I found a delicate silver bracelet this afternoon around 2:15 pm near Falls Park's Arc of Dreams in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It's a slim, shiny bangle with a tiny heart charm and a small cobalt-blue enamel bead. The clasp shows a faint scratch and there’s a tiny engraving inside that reads 'M.L.' It looks fairly new and seems to hold sentimental value for its owner. I’m hoping to get it back to whoever lost it, so if this sounds like yours, send me a message and we can arrange a safe meetup near the park entrance.

South Dakota 3 months ago

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Black floor-length satin evening gown with beaded bodice

Found this black floor-length satin evening gown with a beaded bodice outside the Empire Mall on S Louise Ave in Sioux Falls, SD this afternoon around 4:15 pm. It seems to be a women's size around 6 or 8, with a detachable rhinestone belt and a slim mermaid silhouette. The bodice has a subtle sparkle from silver beads, and there’s a small snag on the left hem from being bumped along the sidewalk. Inside the lining there’s a monogram MK and a care label, which might help the owner identify it. If this is yours, email [email protected] with details like the size and the monogram to claim it.

South Dakota 5 months ago

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Navy blue Jetsetter travel neck pillow

I found a navy blue memory-foam travel neck pillow this morning around 10:15am, sitting on a bench near Falls Park Visitor Center in Sioux Falls, SD. It's a Jetsetter brand, about 11 inches long, with a zipper along the side and a washable cover that's a bit worn at the edges. There's a small coffee stain on the outer fabric and a red luggage tag with initials 'JS' stitched onto the strap. It looks gently used but in good condition, and it would mean a lot to me to reunite it with its owner since traveling can be stressful. If this sounds like yours, please get in touch.

South Dakota 5 months ago

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Neon blue Giro cycling helmet (Sporting Goods)

I found a neon blue Giro cycling helmet this afternoon around 4pm on the bike path behind Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD. It’s in good condition with a couple of small scratches on the shell and a slightly stretched strap. The helmet is a Medium size, with the Giro logo on the side and a reflective sticker on the back. Inside, there’s a sticker that reads 'Ratio MIPS.' I picked it up hoping to help get it back to its owner, so if this sounds like yours, drop me a message here and we can arrange a safe pickup.

South Dakota 5 months ago