Lost something in Burlington? Report it and get help finding it back.
One report, and we route it to the Burlington Police Department, local transit, and active community channels. Your report stays active in our system, automatically searching for matches across local found posts and announcements (12 months).
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 helps you recover what you've lost in Burlington
You file your report
Describe your lost item in detail, including where and when you last saw it, any identifying marks, and your contact info. We gather everything needed to alert the right people.
We connect you to the right channels
We get your report to Burlington Police, Burlington Urban Service (the local bus system), and help amplify it across community social networks and local groups, so your item reaches the widest audience.
Your report keeps searching
Once filed, your report remains active in our system. We monitor incoming found items, lost and found posts, and local announcements, automatically cross-referencing them with your description. If a match surfaces, we alert you right away, so you don't have to check back every day.
Where to report a lost item in Burlington, Iowa
A direct breakdown of the main channels and how we help
Burlington Police Department
File a lost property report directly with the police. They keep records of items turned in by the public and businesses. We tell you which non-emergency line to call and what details to provide.
201 Jefferson Street, Burlington, IA 52601|Non-Emergency: 319-671-7001
Burlington Urban Service (BUS)
Lost something on a local bus? Contact the dispatcher immediately. Items are held at the transit office for a set period before being disposed of or donated. We guide you on the exact information to report.
Burlington Urban Service (BUS)|Dispatcher: 319-753-8162 (M–F, 7 AM–4 PM)
City Hall & Community Services
City Hall can point you toward other municipal lost and found resources or help you file a report that gets logged in the city system. Useful for items lost in or near public buildings or parks.
400 Washington Street, Burlington, IA 52601|Phone: 319-753-8120
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport
If you lost an item during air travel to or from Burlington, contact the airport's operations office. They coordinate with airlines and maintain a lost and found for airport property.
2515 Summer Street, Burlington, IA 52601|Phone: 319-754-1414
Lost Pet?
If you've lost a cat or dog, the Des Moines County Humane Society is your first stop. They take in lost and stray animals and post found pets on their website and social channels. For urgent help coordinating your search across local networks, file a priority lost pet report.
Des Moines County Humane Society|2000 North Roosevelt Ave, Burlington, IA 52601|Phone: 319-753-8389
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
The sooner you report, the better your chances
The first hours and days after losing something are critical. Once you've filed your report with us, you can breathe easier—your report takes over the search and keeps working for you automatically.
Report my lost item →Burlington's a tight-knit community, but losing something valuable—a wallet at a downtown shop, a phone on the bus, a set of keys near the riverfront—can still throw you into a chase. Local police, the city bus system, and various shops and venues all keep their own lost and found records, but you have to contact each one separately, and even then, items turn over quickly and posts on community groups come and go.
ReportLost simplifies that friction. One report goes to all the right local authorities and channels at once, and then stays active on your behalf. Instead of you circling back to Facebook groups and calling transit every few days, your report automatically searches for a match with newly found items and community posts for months. It's the shortcut that takes the stress out of losing something in Burlington.
Common places where people lose items in Burlington
If you can narrow down where your item was lost, it helps the search
Downtown Burlington & Main Street
Shops, restaurants, and offices along the commercial district are frequent loss points. Check with individual businesses and the police's downtown patrol.
Riverfront & Parks
The Mississippi riverfront, Crapo Park, and recreational areas see lost items regularly, especially wallets, keys, and phones left on benches or dropped during outings.
Burlington Urban Service Bus Routes
Items left on local buses or at transit stops account for many losses. Report to the BUS dispatcher as soon as possible.
Shopping Centers & Retail
Parking lots and store interiors on major shopping roads are common spots for lost wallets, bags, and personal items.
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport
Travelers often leave items at check-in, security, gates, or in rental car shuttles. Contact the airport office directly if your loss occurred there.
Community networks actively helping find lost items
These local groups and channels are where Burlington residents post found and lost items
Facebook group for lost and stolen property in the Burlington area
Facebook group focused on lost and found pets in the region
Active community group for pet reunification
Regional Facebook group covering the broader southwest Iowa area
Frequently asked questions about losing something in Burlington
How long does the police department hold lost items?
The Burlington Police Department typically holds lost property for a period determined by local policy. We recommend calling the non-emergency line at 319-671-7001 to ask specifically about your item's retention window so you can claim it in time.
What happens to items left on Burlington Urban Service buses?
Items found on BUS are held at the dispatcher's office. Call 319-753-8162 during business hours (M–F, 7 AM–4 PM) to report or inquire about your item. Most transit systems hold items for 30–90 days before disposal, so act promptly.
Can the Humane Society help me search for my lost pet?
Yes. Contact the Des Moines County Humane Society at 319-753-8389 or visit their facility at 2000 North Roosevelt Ave. They can check their intake records and post your pet's information on their social channels. You can also search their recent found animals at their website.
Should I call the police or go in person to report a loss?
You can do either, depending on urgency. For non-emergencies, the phone line (319-671-7001) is efficient. If the item is high-value or the loss occurred within the past few hours, visiting the station at 201 Jefferson Street in person may get faster results.
Do I have to check with every place myself, or can ReportLost help?
We do the legwork for you. When you file a report with ReportLost, we route it to the police, transit, and local community groups. Then your report stays active in our system and automatically searches for matches with found items and lost and found posts for 12 months, so you don't have to call and check manually every week.
Is ReportLost an official city or police service?
ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside official channels. We're not part of the Burlington Police Department or city government, but we partner with them by routing reports to the right desks and keeping your information active longer than you could manage alone. Think of us as a shortcut that amplifies your report and removes the burden of constant follow-up.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to find what you've lost?
The longer you wait, the less likely a lost item stays in a lost and found. But once you report it with us, your search becomes automatic and continuous. Here is who to contact.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the City of Burlington, the Burlington Police Department, Burlington Urban Service, the Des Moines County Humane Society, Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, or any other government or municipal agency listed on this page. We are a third-party platform designed to amplify lost item reports and connect them to official lost and found channels. Always verify current phone numbers, hours, and policies with these agencies directly, as they may change.