Lost something in Princeton? Report it once and keep searching automatically.
File a single report with ReportLost and we'll notify the Princeton Police Department, Princeton University Public Safety, local transit authorities, and active community channels. Your report stays active, continuously matching against newly discovered items.
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 Princeton
You Report Your Loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed to alert the right authorities and community channels across Princeton, from the Police Department to campus safety to local Facebook groups.
We Route It Everywhere
We contact the Princeton Police Department's lost property team, Princeton University Public Safety, NJ TRANSIT lost and found (if applicable), and post to local community groups. You don't have to call or visit each office yourself.
Your Report Keeps Searching
For your entire search period, your report stays active and continues to match against new found items, community posts, and local marketplace listings. You get an alert if a credible match appears, so you're not refreshing websites daily.
Where to Report & What to Do
Key places items turn up in Princeton, and how ReportLost connects them for you
Princeton Police Department Lost Property
The Police Department accepts lost item reports online and by phone. They maintain a lost property log and can advise whether your item may have been turned in by a resident or officer. We file your report directly with them and monitor their found items against your description.
Princeton University Public Safety Lost & Found
If you lost an item on campus or near university facilities, Princeton University maintains its own lost and found office. Items can be reported and retrieved through their Department of Public Safety. We alert them to your report so they cross-check their holdings.
NJ TRANSIT Lost & Found
Items left on buses and at transit stops are logged through NJ TRANSIT's system. You can file a report online or by phone with their automated lost and found application. We submit your details and keep watch on their found items database.
Local Businesses & Public Spaces
Items lost in shops, restaurants, libraries, parks, and other public locations may be held by the business or facility. ReportLost helps you identify which establishments are most likely and what information to provide when calling, and we monitor community channels where found items are often posted first.
Lost Pet
If you've lost a pet in the Princeton area, contact the Office of Animal Control immediately and notify local shelters. The sooner you report, the better your chances. For a faster, more comprehensive alert to the community, file a priority lost pet report with ReportLost, which pushes your pet's details to multiple rescue networks and local groups at once.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Don't Let Your Loss Fade Away
The first hours and days after losing something are critical, but ongoing follow-up is just as important. Reporting early with ReportLost ensures local authorities and community channels hear about your loss immediately, and your report continues to work for you long after.
Report my lost item →Losing something valuable in Princeton can feel overwhelming, especially when items turn up in separate lost and found systems, social media groups, and official channels. Between the Princeton Police Department's lost property intake, Princeton University's independent lost and found office, local transit lost and found services, and scattered Facebook community posts, finding your belongings requires calling multiple places and checking constantly.
ReportLost simplifies this by filing your report once and routing it to all the right places at once, while keeping your search active in the background. Once you submit your details, our team immediately notifies local police, university safety, transit authorities, and community networks. You can relax knowing your report is working for you, automatically cross-checking new found items and posts for matches throughout your search period.
Common Places Losses Happen in Princeton
High-traffic areas where items are frequently left behind
Downtown Princeton & Nassau Street
The heart of the borough, with shops, restaurants, and offices. Items left in stores or on the street often end up with local businesses or police.
Princeton University Campus
A sprawling academic campus with libraries, dormitories, dining facilities, and common areas. Campus security and the university lost and found handle items found on grounds.
Public Transit Stations & Bus Stops
Commuters frequently leave belongings on NJ TRANSIT buses and at stops throughout Princeton. NJ TRANSIT's lost and found is the main channel for these items.
Parks & Recreation Areas
Local parks and green spaces see regular foot traffic. Items left in these areas may be turned in to the Parks and Recreation office or police.
Witherspoon Street & Government Buildings
The municipal center sees steady visitor traffic. Items lost in or near city offices are often reported to the Police Department or Municipal Clerk.
Community Networks Where Found Items Surface
Real people in Princeton often post found items on these channels
A local community group where residents frequently post lost and found items, with active engagement from neighbors willing to help.
Dedicated to lost and found pets across the county, including Princeton. A reliable place for pet recovery alerts.
New Jersey residents share lost item posts here, including reports from the Princeton area. Good for broader visibility beyond local Facebook groups.
Neighborhood-level posts in Princeton about lost and found items, with high visibility among local residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Princeton Police Department hold lost items?
The Police Department typically holds found items for a period determined by state law, usually 30 to 90 days depending on the item type. For specifics, contact the Police Department's non-emergency line at 609-921-2100. With ReportLost, your report remains active for 12 months, so even if an item is released or stored longer elsewhere, we keep searching community channels and other repositories.
Can I pick up my lost item from the Princeton Police Department?
Yes. Once you've filed a report and your item is located, the Police Department will ask you to collect it in person with proof of ownership. Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are recommended. Call 609-921-2100 to confirm location and hours before visiting.
How do I check the NJ TRANSIT lost and found without visiting in person?
You can file a report online at lostandfound.njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555 to describe your item and ask if it's been turned in. NJ TRANSIT's system logs incoming items and will contact you if a match appears. ReportLost files this report for you and monitors their database continuously.
If I lost something on campus, who do I contact?
Contact Princeton University's Department of Public Safety at 609-258-1000. They maintain a lost and found office and can check their holdings. If you lost an item in a specific building or facility, also contact that location directly. ReportLost alerts campus safety to increase your chances of a match.
What if my item was stolen, not lost?
If you believe your item was stolen, file a report with the Princeton Police Department by calling 609-921-2100 ext. 0 and asking for a theft report. You'll need to file this separately from a lost property report. ReportLost can help you file the lost property aspect to catch it if it resurfaces, but a theft report is a criminal matter for police.
Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace the police?
ReportLost is an independent service, not a government agency. We don't replace the police or official lost and found systems. Instead, we streamline your reporting by filing with the appropriate local authorities and community channels on your behalf, and keeping your search active in the background. We work alongside, not instead of, official channels.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to Find Your Lost Item?
The sooner you report, the sooner local authorities and community networks can help. Once you submit your information, ReportLost takes care of routing it to the Princeton Police Department, Princeton University, NJ TRANSIT, and local community groups. You can focus on retracing your steps while your report keeps searching.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Princeton Police Department, Princeton University, NJ TRANSIT, or any local government agency. We work to streamline reporting and community outreach, but do not replace official lost and found systems or police reporting. All information is current as of publication but subject to change. Always verify contact information and procedures directly with official sources.