Lost something in Evanston? Report it once and we handle the rest.
One report connects you with the Evanston Police Department's Property Bureau, local animal services, transit authorities, and active community channels. Then our system scans the web continuously for matches, so you don't have to.
🔍Recently reported lost items in Evanston – updated this July 18, 2026
- 📍 Samsung Galaxy S22 lost near Central, July 13.
- 📍 Bento box lost near Menorah, July 15.
- 📍 Textbook lost near Noyes, July 12.
How it works
You report your loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We generate the exact details needed for each agency.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes to the Evanston Police Property Bureau, Evanston Animal Shelter if applicable, CTA or Pace transit if relevant, and local community groups.
We monitor the web for you
Our automated system searches local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, marketplaces, and community boards every day for 6 to 12 months. We alert you instantly if a credible match appears.
Where to report in Evanston
These are the official channels. ReportLost coordinates with all of them and fills in the details for you.
Evanston Police Department Property Bureau
The central hub for lost personal property in Evanston. The Property Bureau maintains an inventory of recovered items and can check whether your loss has been turned in. We identify the correct bureau for your case and provide all required details.
Call Property Bureau|Check recovered property online|Police main line
Evanston Animal Shelter and Control
If you've lost a pet, contact the shelter immediately. They maintain records of found animals and can check if yours has been brought in. We ensure your lost pet report reaches them right away and we monitor local animal networks continuously. File a priority lost pet report
Public Transit
Items lost on CTA buses, Pace buses, or at the Evanston Circulator are held at specific facilities. We contact the right transit authority based on where your loss occurred and ensure they have your description.
CTA Lost and Found|Pace Lost and Found|Pace Customer Service
City of Evanston 311 Center
Evanston's 311 service can direct you to the right municipal department and answer questions about city services. We use 311 to escalate reports and ensure they reach the appropriate bureau.
O'Hare International Airport
If you lost something while traveling through Chicago's main airport, O'Hare's lost and found can search their records. Different departments (baggage, restaurants, terminals) keep items in separate locations. We point you to the right contact for your item type.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated info on this page? Let us know, we fix it fast.
The sooner you report, the better your chances
Items in lost and found systems are held for set periods before being disposed of. The moment you realize something is missing, filing a report improves your odds of recovery. Once your report is in our system, the automated monitoring takes over, and you'll hear from us the instant we find a match.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Evanston can feel scattered. The police lost property office, animal shelter, transit agencies, and local online groups all operate separately, and checking each one repeatedly takes time you don't have. ReportLost simplifies this by bringing all channels into one coordinated effort from the moment you report.
Instead of calling around town and refreshing Facebook every morning, you file one report and we take it from there. Your information flows to every relevant desk and agency in Evanston, while our technology watches the web continuously for signs of your item. Once you've reported, you can focus on your day. The surveillance runs in the background, 24/7.
Common places to lose things in Evanston
Most losses occur in these neighborhoods and locations. When you report, let us know the exact area.
Downtown Evanston & Davis Street Corridor
High foot traffic around shops, restaurants, and offices. Items often end up at the Police Department nearby or in local business lost and founds.
Northwestern University & Campus Area
Students and visitors frequently lose belongings in dorms, libraries, and student centers. Campus safety and university lost and found services keep records.
CTA and Pace Transit Stations
Buses and rail platforms are common loss sites. Items are checked into transit authorities within hours of discovery.
Beaches and Parks
Lakefront and green spaces, especially during warm months. Items may be turned in to park facilities or the police.
Restaurants, Bars, and Retail
Local establishments keep found items temporarily. We contact these locations on your behalf and monitor community postings for leads.
Community channels where items are posted
Evanston residents and local groups actively share lost and found notices online. We monitor these daily.
Facebook group dedicated to lost and found pets and items across the north shore area
Evanston subreddit where residents post local lost and found alerts
Neighborhood-based app where locals post found items and sightings
Official police page with recovered property updates
Questions about lost and found in Evanston
How long does the Evanston Police hold lost property?
The Property Bureau holds items for a set period before they may be disposed of or donated. It's important to report and claim as soon as possible. Contact them at 847-866-5029 to verify hold status.
Where do I pick up my item if it's found?
This depends on where it was found. Police property is collected at the Property Bureau (1454 Elmwood Ave). Transit items are held at specific garages or terminals. If found at a business, you'll collect it there. We guide you to the exact location once your item is located.
How can I search the Evanston Police recovered property list?
The Police Department maintains an online list of recently recovered items at cityofevanston.org. You can also call the Property Bureau at 847-866-5029 to ask if your item is in their system.
What if I lost a pet in Evanston?
Call the Evanston Animal Shelter immediately at 847-866-5082. They maintain records of found animals. We recommend filing a priority lost pet report with ReportLost so we can monitor local animal networks and community posts for sightings.
Does ReportLost work with the Evanston Police Department?
ReportLost is an independent service that coordinates with official agencies and monitors public channels on your behalf. We're not part of the police department, but we route your report to them and all relevant local services, then add automated web surveillance to increase your chances of recovery.
How long does ReportLost monitor for my item?
We monitor public web channels, community groups, and marketplaces for 6 to 12 months from the date you file. This means the search continues whether you can actively look or not.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to report?
The faster you file, the more time we have to search before items leave the system. Your report takes less than 5 minutes and immediately engages every relevant channel in Evanston.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Evanston Police Department, City of Evanston, Evanston Animal Shelter, CTA, Pace, O'Hare International Airport, or any other municipal or transit authority mentioned. We coordinate your report with these official agencies and monitor public channels to assist in recovery, but we do not replace their services or guarantee recovery. Always contact official agencies directly for urgent matters or to verify claim procedures.