Lost an item in Reading? Report it once and let us find it for you.
One report gets routed to the Reading Police Department, local transit services like BARTA, and active Berks County community channels. We then scan the web continuously so you don't have to.
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
Pennsylvania : there is no single statewide holding period. Each department, transit agency and venue defines its own retention and claim procedure, often a few months, never guaranteed.
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 file your report
Tell us what you lost, when, and where in Reading. We gather the details needed to notify the right departments and search channels.
We route it to the right places
Your report gets sent to the Reading Police lost property desk, BARTA bus service, local shelters if it's a pet, and Berks County community groups. You get confirmation of each notification.
Our system monitors continuously
We scan social media groups, Nextdoor, Facebook marketplace, and local online channels every day looking for posts that match your description, location, and timeline. You get an alert the moment we spot a credible lead.
Where to Report in Reading
The official channels, and what ReportLost does to simplify them
Reading Police Department
Report lost property directly to the Reading Police. They maintain lost and found records and can file official reports for valuable or significant items. We contact the right precinct desk for you and make sure your details reach the lost property clerk.
BARTA Bus Service
If you lost something on a Reading-area bus, BARTA holds items for 7 days. Call their lost and found hotline with a description of your item and which bus or route you were on. We generate the exact info BARTA needs and follow up on timing to make sure your claim doesn't slip through.
City of Reading Services
The City Service Center can direct you to the right department depending on where you lost your item, whether it's a city park, public building, or street. We help you identify the right contact and what information to include.
City Service Center: 1-877-PAREADING (727-3234)|Email: CSC@readingpa.gov
Lost Pets
If you've lost a cat, dog, or other pet in the Reading area, contact the Animal Rescue League of Berks County immediately. They also coordinate with Humane Pennsylvania in Reading and monitor lost pet networks across Berks County. For the fastest results and continuous monitoring, file a priority lost pet report with us.
Animal Rescue League: 610-373-8830|Humane Pennsylvania: 610-921-2348
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Getting the word out quickly matters
The sooner your lost item is reported to police, transit, and community channels, the sooner neighbors and businesses can keep an eye out. ReportLost handles all the notifications and then keeps searching automatically, so the first report is all you need to file. After that, your case stays active in our system and the community's.
Report my lost item →Reading residents know the frustration: your keys disappear on a BARTA bus, a bag gets left at a café downtown, or a beloved pet wanders off near Wyomissing Park. Finding it usually means calling the police, checking BARTA's line, posting to three different Facebook groups, and then refreshing those feeds every morning for weeks, hoping someone posts "Found" in your timeframe.
ReportLost flips that workflow. File once with us, and we notify every official channel plus the community groups where Reading people post found items. Then our automated system keeps searching the web, Nextdoor, and local social channels 24/7 for matches, so you can get back to your day while we work behind the scenes. Most importantly, the moment a credible sighting appears online, you're notified before it gets buried in the feed.
Common Places Where Items Go Missing in Reading
Report to the right department based on where you lost it
Downtown Reading & Penn Street
High foot traffic in shops, restaurants, and transit stops. Contact Reading Police and check with individual businesses if your loss was in a storefront or café.
BARTA Bus Routes & Transit Centers
Items left on buses or at bus stops are held by BARTA for 7 days. Call their lost and found line with your route and time.
Reading parks & recreational areas
Losses at parks, playgrounds, or sports facilities can be reported to the City Service Center, which directs you to the parks department.
Residential neighborhoods
Post to Nextdoor and Berks County community Facebook groups for neighborhood help, and file with Reading Police if the item is valuable or a pet.
Local businesses & shopping areas
Check directly with the business first, then file with police if the item isn't recovered within a day or two.
Community Groups That Help Find Lost Items
ReportLost posts to these channels so you don't have to
Facebook group for lost pets in Berks County
Facebook group for lost and found cats only
Facebook group for lost and found dogs in Berks County
Reddit community for Reading news and lost & found posts
Facebook neighborhood watch and lost item coordination
Hyperlocal app where Reading neighbors post found items daily
Common Questions About Lost Items in Reading
How long does BARTA keep lost items?
BARTA holds lost and found items for 7 days. If you lost something on a bus, call 610-921-0601 as soon as possible with a description and the route or time you were traveling.
Do I need to file a police report for a lost item?
For valuable items, documents, or keys, filing with Reading Police (610-655-6116) creates an official record. For everyday items, contacting the specific location (business, transit, park) is often faster. ReportLost handles both paths.
Where do I check if something was turned in to the city?
Contact the City Service Center at 1-877-PAREADING or CSC@readingpa.gov. They can tell you if an item was turned in to a city department or facility.
What should I do if I've lost a pet?
Contact the Animal Rescue League of Berks County at 610-373-8830 immediately and post to Facebook groups like "Lost pets in the Reading, PA area" and "Berks Dog Search" or "Berks County Cat Search." Every hour counts. ReportLost can amplify your message across all channels and monitor for sightings automatically.
How do I know if someone found my item on social media?
This is where ReportLost saves you hours of daily checking. Our system scans Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and other local channels continuously for posts matching your description, location, and timeframe. You get notified the moment a credible match appears, before it gets buried in the feed.
Is ReportLost.org an official Reading city service?
No, ReportLost is an independent service that partners with official channels. We're not part of Reading Police or the city, but we notify them and monitor on your behalf so you don't have to do the legwork yourself. Think of us as a coordinator that keeps your case active across all the right places.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to report your lost item?
The sooner you file, the sooner police, transit, and community members can help find it. Once you submit your report, our team handles the notifications and we begin monitoring automatically. You'll get alerts as soon as we spot a match.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Reading Police Department, City of Reading, BARTA, Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Humane Pennsylvania, or any other local agency. We notify these entities on your behalf and monitor public channels for matches, but your item's recovery depends on their records and community help. Always contact official agencies directly if you need an immediate response or have questions about their specific policies.