Lost and found in Essex, Connecticut: how to report a lost item
Losses in Essex are managed by the local police department, CT Transit for bus items, and individual businesses. ReportLost files your report with the right office and keeps it active, so your search continues automatically while you move forward.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost works in Essex
You report the loss
Fill in details about your lost item, where and when you lost it, and any identifying marks. Whether it's a watch, passport, or everyday object like keys or glasses, we gather what we need.
We route your report to the right places
We file your report with Essex Police, CT Transit if applicable, and notify the relevant businesses or venues. We handle the legwork of figuring out which agency covers your loss location and the exact steps to take.
Your report stays active and keeps searching
For 12 months, your report continues to match against new found item listings, community posts, and online announcements. You don't need to check back daily or post across multiple platforms, your search runs in the background.
Where to report lost items in Essex
The offices, departments, and services that hold or process lost property
Essex Police Department
The police department manages lost property reported in public spaces and can file an official report. We tell you which precinct covers your loss and the best way to follow up. Call during business hours or visit in person.
CT Transit Bus Lost and Found
If you lost something on a local bus route, CT Transit maintains a lost and found office. Items are held and retrieved by appointment during weekday business hours. We generate the exact information you need to contact them and verify your item.
Local businesses and venues
Shops, restaurants, banks, and other establishments in Essex often keep lost items at the front desk or customer service. Calling ahead to describe your lost item saves a trip. We can help you identify which business to contact based on where you were.
Regional Animal Control
If you've lost a dog or cat, the Regional Animal Control Officer serving Essex works with Chester, Deep River, and Westbrook. Contact them or check with local shelters. If you've lost a pet, file a priority lost pet report.
Bradley International Airport
If you lost an item at Bradley Airport (about 20 minutes from Essex), the CT State Police maintain the lost and found. Call to inquire, and note that items are held for a limited time before being discarded or donated.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Getting started is simple
Once you've reported through ReportLost, the search moves forward on its own. You'll receive an alert if a match appears, and your report keeps working for you across all 12 months.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Essex, whether downtown near the town center, at a local business, or on a CT Transit bus, means contacting different offices and repeating your details to each one. The police handle some items, the transit system manages bus losses, and many retailers hold their own lost and found. It's a fragmented process that leaves you uncertain whether anyone is still looking.
ReportLost simplifies that. You report once, we alert the right places, and your case stays active for a full year. Instead of checking Facebook groups and local businesses repeatedly, your report automatically matches against new found items and community alerts, so you'll know right away if something surfaces.
Where people most often report losses in Essex
Common locations and neighborhoods where items go missing
Downtown Essex
The central business district along Main Street and West Avenue, including shops, restaurants, and the town hall area, where wallets and glasses are frequently lost.
Centerbrook and Ivoryton
The riverside villages that make up Essex, popular for strolls and local commerce, where personal items like jewelry and ID documents are commonly misplaced.
Bus routes and transit stops
CT Transit buses serving Essex, where phones, backpacks, and travel documents are often left behind.
Public parks and waterfront
Scenic areas along the Connecticut River where visitors lose items during outdoor activities.
Community networks and online groups
Where locals post found items and lost pet alerts
Active Facebook group for the three villages, where residents sometimes post lost and found notices
Reddit community for the state, useful for broader lost item alerts and advice
Facebook group dedicated to lost and found pets across Connecticut
Neighborhood app where Essex residents post local alerts
Frequently asked questions about lost items in Essex
How long does the Essex Police Department hold lost property?
Essex Police does not publish a specific holding period on their public information. Contact the department at 860-767-1054 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to ask about your specific item and how long they can keep it.
What if I lost something on a CT Transit bus?
Call CT Transit customer service to report it and confirm whether your item has been turned in. If found, you can schedule an appointment to collect it Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Where do I pick up a lost item once it's been found?
The location depends on where you lost it. Police items are claimed at the police station (29 West Avenue), bus items at the CT Transit office (by appointment), and business items at the business itself. ReportLost will direct you to the right place.
What should I do if I lost a pet in Essex?
Contact Regional Animal Control immediately at 860-391-7127 or contact DEEP Dispatch at 860-424-3333. Check local animal shelters and post on community Facebook groups. For a faster, more targeted effort, file a lost pet report with ReportLost.
How does ReportLost help if my item might have been found but I don't know where?
We identify the likely locations based on where you lost the item and alert all relevant offices, transit systems, and community channels. Our 12-month search means we're checking new found item postings and marketplace listings even after you've stopped actively looking.
Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace calling the police?
ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside official channels, not in place of them. We file reports with the agencies that accept third-party reports and notify you of the steps to take where they don't. If you need an official police report for insurance purposes, contact Essex Police directly.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search today
Once you've reported, the search continues automatically for a full year. You can move on while we keep looking.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with Essex Police, CT Transit, or any other city, state, or private agency listed on this page. Each entity operates its own lost and found policies and procedures. ReportLost alerts the relevant offices on your behalf but does not control how each one handles your report or the items they receive.