Lost and found in Reading, Massachusetts: how to report and track your item
Lost property in Reading is managed by the Police Department, the MBTA for transit items, and local businesses separately. ReportLost files your report with the right office and keeps your search active.
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 in Reading
You report the loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed to file with the correct local service.
We route it to the right places
We direct your report to Reading Police, the MBTA if it's a transit item, or the relevant location. We handle the paperwork so you don't have to contact multiple offices yourself.
Your report stays active and searching
For 12 months, your report keeps matching against new found items, local posts, and announcements. You receive an alert if a credible match appears, so you're not checking Facebook groups or transit lost-and-found lines every day.
Where lost items are held in Reading
Each of these offices manages its own recovered property. We file your report where the department accepts third-party reports, and guide you on next steps where it does not.
Reading Police Department
The Police Department's non-emergency line handles lost property reports and can advise you on items found in public spaces or during police responses. We file your report with them and provide you the exact contact information and submission method.
MBTA Lost and Found
Items left on Reading's bus routes are collected by the MBTA. Each route has its own lost-and-found contact. We identify your route and provide the correct phone number and hours to check or file a report.
Local businesses and venues
Retail stores, restaurants, libraries, and other public spaces in Reading maintain their own lost-and-found sections. We help you identify which business was the likely location and suggest contacting them directly with your item description.
Boston Logan Airport
If your item was lost at or near Boston Logan, the airport's dedicated lost-and-found office handles recovery. Items can be submitted online or by phone, and the airport maintains a searchable database.
Lost pet
Lost dogs and cats are reported to Reading Animal Control and listed on local pet networks. We help you notify the right authorities and community channels so your pet gets the priority attention it needs. File a priority lost pet report
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Already know where to look?
You can contact Reading services directly. But if you'd prefer a single report that stays active across all channels for a year, ReportLost handles the legwork.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Reading creates a puzzle: is it with the police, the MBTA, a local business, or still somewhere in town? Each service holds items separately, and contacting each one takes time. ReportLost simplifies this by filing your report where it belongs and staying on the hunt for you while you handle the rest.
The moment you report, our system begins cross-referencing your item against found items, community posts, and local announcements. Instead of refreshing lost-and-found pages yourself, your report works for you, alerting you only when something matches. Whether it's a watch lost downtown, keys from a bus route, or a passport misplaced at a local venue, your report stays live and searching for the full 12 months.
Common places items go missing in Reading
Knowing where you lost something helps us route your report to the right office.
Downtown Reading and Main Street
Retail, restaurants, and local businesses where items are commonly left behind or misplaced.
Reading Public Library
Books, glasses, and personal items are frequently recovered and held by library staff.
Bus stops and MBTA routes
Wallets, keys, and bags left on seats or at stations are forwarded to MBTA lost-and-found.
Town Hall and civic buildings
Items lost during visits to municipal offices are typically held by building staff or police.
Parks and recreational areas
Phones, jewelry, and outdoor gear can be reported to police or the parks department.
Community channels for lost items
Reading residents often post found items and recovery tips in these spaces. ReportLost cross-references them automatically.
Facebook group for lost and found animals in the Reading area
General lost-and-found posts for the greater Boston area
Neighborhood app where local residents report found items
Sometimes found items are posted for pickup
Questions about lost items in Reading
How long does the police department hold lost items?
The Reading Police Department holds lost property according to Massachusetts law. Unclaimed items may be disposed of or donated after a reasonable holding period. Contact them at 781-944-1212 to confirm your item's status and arrange pickup as soon as possible after it's found.
How do I check if my item is at MBTA lost and found?
Call the MBTA Lost and Found at 617-849-9555 (bus service, Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM). Have your item description and the specific route or location ready. Items are typically held for several weeks before being disposed of.
What should I do if I lost a pet in Reading?
Contact Reading Animal Control at 781-439-6950 or the Police dispatch line at 781-944-1212 immediately. Also post in the Reading, MA Lost & Found Pets Facebook group and check with local shelters. Lost dogs in Massachusetts are required to be held for at least 7 days.
Where do I pick up a found item in Reading?
Pickup location depends on where your item was found. Police-recovered items are picked up at the Police Department (781-944-1212). MBTA items may be held at specific depots. Most businesses have their own pickup procedures. We'll tell you the exact location and hours once your report is filed.
Can I report my lost item to ReportLost even if I've already contacted the police?
Yes. Reporting to ReportLost adds a layer of continuous monitoring across community channels and local announcements for 12 months. Your initial police report remains separate; our report keeps searching for matches in places the police report alone might not reach.
Is ReportLost.org an official city service?
No, ReportLost is an independent service that helps you report losses to the right local offices and keeps your report actively searching across community channels. It is not run by Reading Police, the city, or the MBTA. We work alongside these official services, not as a replacement for them.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search today
Once your report is filed, the searching begins automatically. You don't have to call the same offices repeatedly or watch community boards constantly. Our system alerts you if a match appears.
Start my report →ReportLost is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Reading Police Department, Reading Massachusetts, the MBTA, Boston Logan Airport, Reading Animal Control, or any local business. We help you report losses to these entities and monitor community channels on your behalf, but we do not operate their lost-and-found services directly.