Lost and found in Salem, New Hampshire: where to report and search for your items
Lost property in Salem is handled by the Police Department, public transit operators, and individual businesses throughout town. ReportLost files your report with the right department, alerts the relevant local channels, and keeps your report searching for a match.
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 Salem
You submit your loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed to file with the right local office.
We route your report
We file with the Salem Police Department, CART and COAST transit services, or the appropriate business. We also post to local lost and found groups and alert relevant channels so the community can help.
Your report stays active
For 12 months, your report keeps searching for a match. We cross-check new items turned in, posts in local groups, and marketplace listings, so you don't have to monitor everything yourself. You'll get an alert if something matches your description.
Where lost items go in Salem
Most lost property ends up in one of these places. ReportLost files your report where the department accepts third-party reports and tells you the exact steps where it doesn't.
Salem Police Department
The Police Department holds lost items turned in by the public, including found keys, glasses, wallets, ID, and personal documents. Items are kept at the Evidence Officer's desk. We file your report here and provide you with their direct contact information and the process for reclaiming your item.
Public Transit Lost and Found
CART (Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation) and COAST Bus both operate in Salem and maintain lost and found services for items left aboard vehicles. COAST collects items daily; CART can check its inventory when you call. We generate the exact information and phone number you need to follow up.
Shops, restaurants, and public venues
Items left at local businesses, parking lots, parks, and other public places are typically held at each location's customer service desk or lost and found. We help you identify which business or venue applies to your loss and provide guidance on the best way to contact them.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
If you lost something while traveling through Manchester Airport (about 15 miles from Salem), the airport's Lost and Found has a dedicated reporting system. Items left on aircraft go directly to the airline. We'll point you to the right process depending on where your loss occurred.
Lost or found pet
If you've lost a cat or dog in Salem, contact Animal Control immediately at 603-893-1911, option 1, or reach out to Salem Animal Rescue League. Missing pets are listed on the town's official missing pets page, and local groups share found animals rapidly. file a priority lost pet report
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to report your loss?
The sooner you file, the sooner we start working. Tell us what you lost and where, and we'll route your report to the right place and keep it active for you.
Report my lost item →Salem residents lose items across town, from the Police Department's desk where found keys and wallets accumulate, to the transit buses that run through the community, to the shops and parking lots where personal belongings are left behind. Each location holds items separately, and each has its own process. Rather than calling the police, then the bus company, then checking Facebook groups and hoping someone has posted, ReportLost consolidates the report and does the outreach for you.
When you file with us, we identify which department holds your type of loss and file where they accept reports. We post your description to the local lost and found community, so neighbors and shopkeepers see it. Then your report doesn't stop working, the moment you submit it. For the next year, it keeps matching your description against new items people turn in and new posts about found belongings, so a found watch, wedding ring, or passport can find its way back to you even months later, without you having to search every day.
Common places to lose items in Salem
Think about where you were when you last had your item. These areas are frequent loss points:
Downtown Salem
Shopping and dining districts where wallets, keys, and phones are regularly left behind at counters and tables.
CART and COAST bus routes
Items slip under seats or are left at stops throughout town. Both services check daily and keep items for a set period.
Parking lots and retail centers
Items left in or near vehicles, or inside stores, often make their way to a manager's office or customer service desk.
Salem Common and public parks
Glasses, phones, and small bags are found regularly in outdoor spaces and typically held by Parks and Recreation or nearby town offices.
Manchester Airport (nearby)
If you traveled through Manchester Airport, check their dedicated Lost and Found system; items held separately from the town.
Lost and found community in Salem
Local groups and forums where residents post and share found items:
Facebook group for lost and found pets in Salem
Regional Facebook group for lost and found animals
Reddit community for Salem discussions, including lost item posts
Official town page where lost and found notices are sometimes shared
Frequently asked questions about lost items in Salem
How long does the Salem Police Department hold lost items?
The Police Department holds items for a set period before they may be donated or disposed of. Call 603-893-1911 to ask about the timeline for your specific item and arrange pickup if it has been found.
What should I do if I lost something on a CART or COAST bus?
Call CART at 603-623-8801 (option 2, between 6:30 am and 7:00 pm) or COAST at 603-743-5777 (option 1). Be ready to describe your item and the route or time you traveled. Both services hold items but have limited storage, so contact them soon.
How do I claim a found item from the Police Department?
Call the Salem Police dispatch at 603-893-1911 and describe your item. If it's been turned in, they'll tell you how to pick it up. Bring identification and any proof of ownership. The Evidence Officer coordinates lost and found.
Where do I report a lost pet in Salem?
Call the Salem Animal Control Officer, Bjarna O'Brien, at 603-893-1911, option 1. You can also contact Salem Animal Rescue League at 603-893-3210 or check the town's official missing pets list online. Post to local Facebook groups and the New Hampshire Pets Lost and Found group to reach neighbors fast.
What if I lost something at Manchester Airport?
Go to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Lost and Found system online or call their office directly. If your item was on an airplane, contact the airline. The airport's process is separate from Salem town services.
Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace the police?
ReportLost is an independent service, not run by the Salem Police or any town department. We are not a replacement for filing with local authorities, but a way to simplify the process and keep your report active longer. When you use ReportLost, we file with the official departments on your behalf and keep looking for a match over time. You can also contact those departments directly if you prefer.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search and report now
Lost items in Salem are tracked by multiple services and held separately. Once you file with ReportLost, we handle the coordination and keep your report active for a full year. The sooner you report, the sooner we begin matching your description against new arrivals and community posts.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Salem Police Department, Town of Salem, CART, COAST Bus, Salem Animal Rescue League, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, or any other organization mentioned. We file reports on your behalf where those organizations accept third-party submissions and provide information about contacting them. For emergency situations, always contact local authorities directly at 911.