Lost something in Dayton? Here is who to contact.
File a single report and we notify the Dayton Police Department, Dayton International Airport, Greater Dayton RTA, and active local lost and found channels. Our system then monitors the web continuously for matches across marketplaces, social networks, and community posts for months.
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
Ohio : police must make reasonable efforts to identify the owner, but retention periods are set locally rather than statewide. (Ohio Revised Code §2933.41)
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
You submit your loss details
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We capture all the specifics needed to route your case correctly and identify matches later.
We connect with the right places
Your report is automatically sent to Dayton Police, airport police, RTA transit, local animal services if applicable, and posted to community channels. No back-and-forth calls from you.
Automated monitoring finds matches
For 12 months, our system scans the entire web, Facebook groups, Nextdoor, classifieds, and local posts daily for "found" items matching your description. You get an instant alert the moment a credible match appears. No need to refresh sites yourself or check groups every morning.
Where to Report Lost Items in Dayton
Direct contacts for the main services. ReportLost does this routing and monitoring for you, but here's what's available locally.
Dayton Police Department
The primary agency for reporting lost property in the city. They maintain a lost and found database and can file a report if theft is suspected. We identify the correct precinct for your loss location and generate the details you'll need.
Greater Dayton RTA (Transit)
Lost something on a bus? Items left on RTA routes are held in their storage area. Call their lost and found line to check if your item was turned in. We ensure your report reaches them and monitor their recovery updates.
Dayton International Airport (DAY)
Lost an item in the terminal, security, or on a flight? Airport Police operate a lost and found office in Concourse B, open weekdays 8am to 5pm. We notify them and track any matches.
Dayton City Hall & Services
Report lost items to the city's general services or check whether your item was turned in to a municipal office. We provide the right department contact for your specific loss.
Lost Pets
If your pet is missing, contact the Humane Society of Greater Dayton or SICSA to file a lost pet report and check found animals. They work with local rescues and shelters. For faster, specialized help with a missing pet, file a priority lost pet report with ReportLost.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
The sooner you report, the better your chances.
Once your loss is documented, the search begins automatically. Our monitoring system kicks in right away, giving you a much wider net than checking manually. There's no penalty for reporting early, and every day counts.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Dayton can feel helpless. Whether it's a wallet left on a bus, a package misdirected to the wrong address, a pet that slipped out, or an item forgotten at the airport, you're suddenly juggling calls to the police department, the transit authority, airport security, and posting across multiple Facebook groups. Each channel operates separately, and without daily checking yourself, easy matches slip through.
ReportLost simplifies everything. One report reaches all the right Dayton authorities and community channels at once. Then our system takes over, continuously scanning the web for found postings that match yours. You don't have to spend weeks checking Dayton lost and found groups or marketplace sites, and you'll know immediately if someone's posted your item. Once you report, you can focus on other things, and we handle the hunt.
Common places to lose things in Dayton
High-traffic zones where lost items often turn up.
Downtown & RiverScape
The pedestrian district near the Miami River, shops, restaurants, and RTA bus stops. Items left at cafes, on benches, or on transit are frequently reported here.
Dayton International Airport (DAY)
Common spot for forgotten luggage, phones, and accessories. Airport security and ground crew can locate items quickly if reported within hours.
East Market District
Shopping, dining, and entertainment area. Parking lots, stores, and restaurants see a steady flow of lost wallets, keys, and personal items.
University of Dayton & Miami University Campuses
Student areas where backpacks, phones, and IDs go missing regularly. Campus security often holds items found in dorms and common spaces.
Public Transit Routes
Items left on RTA buses and at transit centers account for many reports. Greater Dayton RTA holds recovered items for a set period.
Community channels where lost items are shared
Dayton residents post lost and found items on these platforms constantly. ReportLost monitors them for you.
Facebook group for general lost and found items in the Dayton area
One of the largest active Facebook groups for missing and found pets in the region
Subreddit where Dayton residents post lost items and pets
Neighborhood posts for lost items and pets in your immediate area
Common place items are sold or marked as found
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Dayton Police Department hold lost property?
Items held by the Dayton Police Department are typically kept for a limited period. Check with the police department directly at 937-333-2677 (non-emergency) to confirm how long specific items are retained before disposal.
What if I lost something on a Greater Dayton RTA bus?
Call the RTA Customer Support line at 937-425-8300, option 3 for lost and found. Items collected on scheduled routes are held in an RTA storage area. The sooner you call, the better the chance of recovery.
How do I retrieve an item from Dayton International Airport's lost and found?
Contact the Airport Police office in Concourse B at 937-898-6786. They are open weekdays 8am to 5pm. Have your flight details and a description of the item ready.
Can ReportLost help me find a lost pet in Dayton?
Yes. We offer a specialized lost pet report that immediately notifies local animal shelters, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, and community rescue networks, plus monitors pet-specific Facebook groups and PawBoost. File a priority lost pet report to get started.
How does ReportLost monitor social media and local groups?
Our automated system scans Facebook lost and found groups, Nextdoor, Reddit (r/dayton), classifieds, and other public posts 24/7 for items matching your description. If a credible match appears, you receive an alert immediately, so you don't have to check manually every day.
Is ReportLost.org an official city service or police tool?
No. ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside official channels. We notify the Dayton Police Department, RTA, airport police, and local animal services on your behalf, then monitor the web continuously for matches. We're not part of any government agency, but we bridge the gap between you and all the places where your item might be found or reported.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to find your lost item?
The first step is filing your report. From there, we take care of notifying the right places and searching for matches. You can relax knowing the hunt is active 24/7.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Dayton Police Department, Dayton International Airport, Greater Dayton RTA, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, SICSA, the City of Dayton, or any local government agency. We help you report losses to these organizations and monitor public channels for matches, but we do not replace official lost and found services or police reports. For emergencies, call 911. All links provided are to official or widely-recognized local services.