Lost and found in Arlington, Massachusetts: how to report and retrieve your belongings
The Arlington Police Department, transit services, and local businesses each maintain separate lost and found systems. ReportLost files your report across the relevant channels and keeps it active, so your item can be matched against incoming found items without you having to check back constantly.
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 it works
You submit your loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. Include any identifying details that would help someone recognize it. The more specific, the faster we can work.
We route it to the right places
We file your report with the Arlington Police Department and other relevant local services. We also generate the exact details you'll need if you want to contact transit, the airport, or other venues directly.
Your report stays active and searching
For 12 months, your report keeps matching against items turned in to local services, posts in community groups, and other found reports. You'll get an alert if a credible match appears, so you don't have to monitor sites yourself every day.
Where lost items end up in Arlington
Local channels and what to do if you want to follow up yourself
Arlington Police Department
The police department holds lost and found items at their main station and welcomes walk-ins to check for property. They also accept reports by phone through the non-emergency line. ReportLost files your report with the police department so you don't have to make the call yourself.
MBTA Bus Transit
If you left something on an MBTA bus serving Arlington, each route has its own lost and found line. Call the number for your specific route to describe what you lost and ask if it's been turned in. We identify which MBTA routes serve your location and provide the exact contact numbers.
Boston Logan Airport
Arlington residents flying out of or arriving at Boston Logan should check the Lost and Found Office on the Arrivals level between Terminals C and E. Items left on aircraft or at security also have dedicated channels. We provide you with the phone numbers and location details for Logan's lost and found office.
Lost Pet
If your dog or cat is missing, call Arlington Animal Control right away. They coordinate with local shelters and maintain records of lost and found animals in the area. Time matters for lost pets, and Animal Control can alert other facilities and help identify your pet if it's been brought in. For a lost pet, file a priority lost pet report.
Shops, Restaurants, and Public Places
Items lost in stores, restaurants, libraries, or parks are typically held by the business or venue itself. Call ahead to describe what you've lost. If you're not sure which business to contact, your credit card or phone company's location history can help you pinpoint where you were.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Report your loss now
Filing a report takes just a few minutes. Once submitted, your details reach the right Arlington services and stay active in the search for a year.
Report my lost item →Arlington sits six miles northwest of Boston and shares transit and airport access with the broader region. A lost item in town might end up with the Arlington Police Department, the MBTA if you lost it on a bus, Boston Logan if it went missing at the airport, or local businesses and venues. Each system operates independently, and tracking down the right desk can take time.
ReportLost simplifies that. One report reaches the relevant Arlington services and continues searching for you automatically. If your watch, keys, wallet, or passport turns up, the match happens without you having to retrace your steps or refresh lost and found pages every morning.
Common places where items are lost in Arlington
These zones see frequent lost and found activity
Downtown Arlington
Along Massachusetts Avenue and nearby shops, restaurants, and civic buildings where foot traffic is heaviest.
MBTA Bus Stops and Routes
Throughout Arlington on routes serving downtown, the commuter rail connections, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Mystic River Area
Parks and recreational spaces near the river and bike paths where people often stop to rest and can misplace personal items.
Transit Stations
Commuter lots, bus stations, and areas near connections to regional transit heading toward Boston.
Community networks and groups
Local residents share lost and found posts on these platforms
The subreddit for Arlington, Massachusetts includes lost and found posts from residents.
Dedicated Facebook group for reporting lost and found pets in the Arlington area.
Town of Arlington and neighborhood-specific groups where residents post about lost items and pets.
Local neighborhood app where Arlington residents often alert neighbors about lost property.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Arlington Police Department hold lost items?
Check directly with the Arlington Police Department at (781) 643-1212 or visit their station at 112 Mystic Street. Holding periods vary depending on the item, and policies may change. Once you've filed a ReportLost report, your item continues to be matched against their intake for a full 12 months.
If I lost something on an MBTA bus, how do I claim it?
Call the Lost and Found number for the specific route where you lost your item. Have a description ready and your contact information. The MBTA website lists numbers by route and mode. Items are typically held for a set period before disposal.
What's the process for claiming a lost item at Boston Logan?
Visit or call the Lost and Found Office on the Arrivals level between Terminals C and E. Bring identification. For items left on aircraft, contact the airline or TSA directly depending on where the loss occurred.
How do I report a lost pet in Arlington?
Contact Arlington Animal Control immediately at (781) 316-3950. Provide a description and photo if possible. They'll check local shelters and can help reunite you with your pet. Post on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor as well to reach neighbors quickly.
Can I search Arlington's lost and found inventory online?
The Arlington Police Department doesn't currently publish an online searchable database. Call the non-emergency line at (781) 643-1212 to ask if a specific item has been turned in. ReportLost keeps your report active and notifies you if a match is found.
Is ReportLost.org an official Arlington service?
No. ReportLost is an independent service that helps you file and track reports across local systems. It is not affiliated with the Town of Arlington, the Police Department, or the MBTA. Once your report is filed, you're working directly with those official agencies and community resources. ReportLost's role is to coordinate the filing and provide ongoing matching for 12 months.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Get started
The sooner your report is filed, the sooner it begins searching. Tell us what you lost and where, and we'll take it from there.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent lost and found service and is not affiliated with the Town of Arlington, the Arlington Police Department, the MBTA, Boston Logan Airport, Arlington Animal Control, or any other local government agency or business mentioned on this page. We file reports on your behalf where those agencies and services accept third-party submissions, and we maintain a searchable record to help match your lost item against found reports. Our service complements but does not replace direct contact with local police, transit authorities, or other venues.