Lost an item in West Des Moines? File a report and let us track it down.
Submit one report and we route it to the West Des Moines Police Department, local transit operators, Des Moines International Airport if needed, and the active West Des Moines lost and found community channels. Then our system monitors the web continuously for matches.
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 West Des Moines
You tell us what you lost
Describe your item, where and when you last had it, and upload a photo if you have one. We ask a few quick questions to pinpoint exactly which agencies and channels matter for your situation.
We notify the right places
We send your report directly to the West Des Moines Police Department, City Hall, DART and Cyride transit systems, Des Moines International Airport, animal control, and active local lost and found groups. No more hunting for phone numbers or forms.
We monitor the web for you, 24/7
Our automated system scans Facebook groups, Craigslist, Reddit, community pages, and local marketplaces repeatedly over 12 months, looking for posts that match your description, location, and timeline. As soon as a credible match appears, we alert you so you can follow up. You don't have to refresh pages every day.
Where to report a lost item in West Des Moines
What each agency handles and how ReportLost routes your report automatically
West Des Moines Police Department
The police department accepts reports for items lost in public areas or on city property. You can file in person or by phone. What ReportLost does: we identify which precinct covers your loss location and prepare the exact details needed for your report so it's complete the first time.
Police Department main line|Non-emergency reports: 515-222-3320
City Hall and Public Services
West Des Moines City Hall can direct you to the right department if your item was lost at a city facility, park, or public event. They can also advise on local ordinances affecting found items. What ReportLost does: we point you to the right desk and tell you what information to bring.
City of West Des Moines contact|City Hall: 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, 515-222-3600
Public Transit (DART and Cyride)
If you lost something on a bus or at a transit station in the Des Moines area, DART and Cyride operate separate lost and found systems. DART serves much of the region; Cyride operates local routes. Call the carrier you used to check if your item has been turned in. What ReportLost does: we contact both systems on your behalf and follow up on your item's status.
DART lost and found|DART: 515-283-8100|Cyride lost and found|Cyride: 515-292-1100
Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Lost an item on a flight, in the terminal, at a rental car counter, or in the baggage claim area? The airport's Lost and Found office handles recoveries for all areas of the facility. What ReportLost does: we file your report with the airport authority and track its status as they investigate.
Lost Pets
If you're searching for a missing dog, cat, or other pet, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, local shelters, and community pet networks are your first responders. Report immediately to maximize the chance of recovery. What ReportLost does: we alert the right shelters and animal control, and we monitor pet alert networks continuously. Want dedicated support for a lost pet? file a priority lost pet report.
Animal Rescue League of Iowa|Animal control dispatch: 515-222-3321
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Here is who to contact.
The sooner you file a report, the sooner we start monitoring. Every day counts when a lost item is out there. One report with ReportLost covers police, city services, transit, airport, and the entire local community, plus 12 months of automated web monitoring so you don't have to.
Report my lost item →Losing something in West Des Moines can feel like your item has vanished into thin air, especially when you don't know whether to call the police first, check with the city, contact the bus company, or post in every local Facebook group. The systems aren't connected, so you end up making multiple calls and checking multiple websites every single day, hoping someone has found your wallet, keys, phone, or laptop.
ReportLost simplifies the whole process. One report covers all the official channels (police, city services, transit, airport) and the community spaces where found items are actually posted. Better yet, we don't stop after you submit it. Our monitoring team searches the entire local web continuously, so you can move on with your day knowing that the hunt for your item is already underway. We'll contact you the moment we find a real lead.
Common places where items are lost in West Des Moines
If you remember where you lost your item, it helps us prioritize which local channels to search first
Downtown and Mills Civic Parkway
The civic center and surrounding shops are frequent locations for lost wallets, keys, and phones. Police and City Hall are centrally located here.
Valley West Mall and surrounding retail
High foot traffic in shops, parking lots, and food courts means items are often turned in to store managers or security. We notify the retailers and check with them.
Parks and recreation areas
Items lost at Green Meadows, city parks, or outdoor events may be collected by Parks and Recreation or the police. City services handle these reports.
Transit stations and bus routes
Phones, bags, and documents left on DART or Cyride buses are usually brought to dispatch. We contact both transit systems for you.
Des Moines International Airport area
If you lost something near or at the airport, the Airport Authority's Lost and Found is the central collection point for all terminal and airline items.
Community networks where found items are posted
Local residents and groups actively share found items. ReportLost monitors these channels automatically so you don't have to check them daily.
Active Facebook group for lost and found animals in the area
Facebook group for lost items of all kinds, keys, wallets, phones
Reddit community where locals post lost and found alerts
Regional marketplace where items are often posted by finders
Neighborhood-level networks where neighbors share found items and alerts
Frequently asked questions about lost and found in West Des Moines
How long does the police department keep lost items?
The West Des Moines Police Department typically holds items for 30 to 90 days before disposal, depending on the type of item and whether identification is found. Contact them at 515-222-3320 to ask about your specific item's hold time. ReportLost follows up on your behalf.
What if I lost something on a DART or Cyride bus?
Call the transit system's lost and found line immediately. DART: 515-283-8100, Cyride: 515-292-1100. Items are usually held at their dispatch offices for a limited time. ReportLost contacts both systems and tracks your claim.
Can I file a lost item report online with the West Des Moines Police?
For non-emergency losses, call the police department at 515-222-3320 to file a report. You can visit in person at 250 Mills Civic Parkway during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). ReportLost prepares your information and can help you file.
Where do items go when they're found at the airport?
All items found in the public areas of Des Moines International Airport are collected at the airport's Lost and Found office. Call 515-202-9114 to report and check on your item. Items in secure areas (past TSA) are handled by TSA's Lost and Found system.
How does ReportLost monitor local groups and websites?
Our system runs automated searches on Facebook groups, Craigslist, Reddit, Nextdoor, and other public community channels multiple times per day, looking for posts that match your item's description, location, and timeline. When a credible match is found, we notify you immediately so you can reach out to the finder.
Is ReportLost.org an official city service or police department?
No. ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside official agencies, not as a replacement for them. We route your report to the West Des Moines Police Department and all relevant local services, and we monitor public channels for matches. We are not affiliated with any government agency, but we coordinate with them on your behalf.
Lost & found in nearby cities
File your lost item report now
Every moment counts when something is missing. Once you submit your report to ReportLost, we handle the notifications, the follow-ups, and the continuous monitoring. You can focus on other things knowing that your item is being actively searched across all of West Des Moines's lost and found channels.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines Police Department, DART, Cyride, Des Moines International Airport, or any other government or transit agency mentioned on this page. We coordinate with these agencies on your behalf to locate and return your item, but we do not replace their services or official reporting procedures.