Lost & Found Guide

Lost something in Melrose? We'll get your report to the right people.

One report connects you with the Melrose Police Department, City Hall, local transit, and your community. Your report stays active, so you don't have to chase leads alone.

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

996
reports filed
12
in Massachusetts

Across the United States

Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.

Loading map…

How ReportLost works in Melrose

📋

You report your loss

Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details that matter to police, transit, and local services.

🎯

We route it to the right channels

Your report reaches the Melrose Police Department, City Hall, the MBTA if applicable, and goes out to local lost-pet groups. No runaround, no wondering which desk to call.

🔍

Your report keeps searching

For your entire search period, your report continues to match against new found items, community posts, and local listings. We alert you the moment a credible match appears, so you can focus on your day while we work for you.

Where lost items go in Melrose

Know your options, but let us connect the dots for you

🚔

Melrose Police Department

The Police Department keeps records of lost and found items reported to their office. You can report in person at 56 West Foster Street or call the business line. We verify which precinct or desk handles your type of loss and make sure your report is filed correctly.

Call: 781-665-1212|Visit their site

🏛️

City of Melrose (City Hall & Clerk)

The City Clerk's office maintains a lost-and-found log. If your item was lost in or near City Hall or a municipal building, report it here. We let you know the exact department and hours so your report gets to the right desk without delay.

Call: 781-979-4102|Visit City Hall

🚌

MBTA (Boston Public Transit)

Items left on MBTA buses serving Melrose are held for 7 days at the transit depot. Call the MBTA lost-and-found line and describe your item. We guide you through the right MBTA number and what info to have ready when you call.

MBTA Bus Lost & Found: 617-849-9555|Learn more at MBTA

✈️

Boston Logan Airport

If you lost something at Logan Airport or on an arriving flight, the airport's Lost and Found office (open daily 7 AM to 8 PM) can help. For TSA security checkpoint items, contact TSA directly. We point you to the right office based on where you lost it.

MassPort Lost & Found: 1-800-23-LOGAN|Logan Lost & Found details

🐾

Lost Pets

If you've lost a pet in Melrose, call the Animal Control office at City Hall (781-979-4102) right away and post in the Melrose Lost & Found Pets Facebook group. The community responds quickly, and a detailed report helps reunite you fast. For a comprehensive search with ongoing alerts, file a priority lost pet report with us.

⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.

The sooner you report, the better

Filing your loss early gives you the best chance of recovery. Once your report is in, our system takes over the daily checking, so you can relax knowing your loss is being searched for continuously.

Report my lost item →

Losing something in Melrose means contacting the police, checking City Hall, calling the MBTA if it's on a bus, and posting on multiple Facebook groups and Nextdoor. Each service has its own lost-and-found, its own timeline, and its own process. By the time you've called them all, days have passed.

ReportLost simplifies this. You file once with us, and we make sure your loss reaches the Melrose Police Department, the City Clerk's office, transit services, and your community within hours. Better still, your report stays active and keeps searching for matches for 12 months, so you're not refreshing Facebook groups every morning hoping someone found your keys or wallet.

View of Melrose, MA

Common places to lose things in Melrose

Where locals often misplace items

Downtown Melrose & Main Street

Shops, restaurants, and City Hall are frequent loss spots. Items left here often turn up at the shop's lost-and-found or with police.

Melrose Square & Transit Hub

The bus stops and commuter routes are common places for wallets, phones, and bags. MBTA lost-and-found handles many finds here.

Parks & Recreation Areas

Melrose has several parks where items are left during activities. Local lost-and-found groups and park staff often assist.

Residential & School Areas

Items lost near homes, schools, or community centers often surface through neighborhood Facebook groups and Nextdoor alerts.

Your community is watching

Local networks that help spread the word

Melrose Lost & Found Pets
Facebook community for lost and found pets in Melrose
r/MelroseMA
Melrose subreddit where residents post lost items and help neighbors
Nextdoor Melrose
Hyperlocal neighborhood app, great for lost-item alerts
Lost & Found Cats of Massachusetts
Broader regional group for lost cats in the Boston area

Questions about lost items in Melrose

How long does the MBTA hold items?

Items found on MBTA buses are kept for 7 days. If your item was lost on transit, call 617-849-9555 as soon as possible to claim it before the hold expires.

Where do I claim a lost item from Melrose Police?

Contact the Melrose Police Department at 781-665-1212 or visit in person at 56 West Foster Street during business hours. Police can tell you if an item matching your description has been turned in.

What if I lost my pet in Melrose?

Call Animal Control at 781-979-4102 immediately and post in the Melrose Lost & Found Pets Facebook group. Check local shelters like the MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center. The faster you report, the faster your pet can be identified and returned.

Can I search the City Clerk's lost-and-found log?

Call City Hall at 781-979-4102 to ask if your item has been turned in. The City Clerk keeps a record of items found in municipal buildings.

How does ReportLost keep my report active for 12 months?

When you file with us, your report continues to be cross-checked against new found items, community posts, and local marketplace listings throughout your search period. Instead of you refreshing Facebook groups daily, we alert you if a match appears. This passive, continuous search is what sets ReportLost apart.

Is ReportLost.org official or does it replace the police?

ReportLost is an independent service, not part of any government agency. We don't replace police reports, but we make filing one easier by routing your loss to the right local authorities and keeping your report active in search mode. We're a tool that simplifies the process and extends your reach.

Lost & found in nearby cities

Get your lost item found

File your report now and let Melrose's police, city services, and community help bring it home. Once submitted, your report stays on the case for up to a year.

Start my report →

ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Melrose Police Department, City of Melrose, MBTA, MassPort, or any local government or transit agency. We work to connect your report with these services and local community networks, but we do not guarantee recovery. Always file an official police report if required by law or recommended by local authorities.