Apopka Police Department hosting an "exchange zone"

From the Apopka Police Department Public Information Office

In a continuing effort to reduce opportunities for criminal activity, the Apopka Police Department has created an area at the police station for residents to conduct exchanges. The increase of face to face transactions from CraigsList, Facebook, LetGo, OfferUp and other online exchanges has also lead to an increase in robberies, thefts, and other crimes.

“More and more, our citizens want a location they are comfortable with in order to conduct these types of transactions,” said Police Chief Mike McKinley, “I can’t tell you the number of people in our community that have asked about this.”

Over the last year, the APD investigated a number of crimes associated with face to face transactions from online deals. Often the seller or buyer asks to meet in a closed lot or even at a residence in order to victimize an unsuspecting client. To combat this, APD has taken a lead by providing an area of the police parking lot, which is well lit and under camera surveillance, for the public to use.

“We suspect that if one half of the transaction says, ‘let’s meet at the police parking lot,’ a criminal is less likely to want to go through with that transaction,” said Deputy Chief Randy Fernandez. “This should give our residents a better feeling of comfort about the deals they are conducting.”

In addition to online purchases, the parking lot is also available for child custody exchanges for those parents looking for a comfortable place to exchange their children.

The department encourages that in-person exchanges be made between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, when the department is open. While it is not the intent of the APD to provide police personnel or staff to witness any transaction in person, those utilizing the parking lot may call for an officer if they feel threatened or need any serial numbers of any merchandise checked. Department members will not, however, verify or validate the legitimacy of any transaction, item, the integrity of any product or goods, or legality of a sale. Nor will a member offer an opinion regarding any exchange. Officers and employees are not available to participate as official witnesses, give legal advice or settle disputes unless it becomes an emergency situation.

Whether the public utilizes the department’s visitor parking lot or another location, persons engaging in on-line inspired transactions should bring a cell phone, ensure friends or family are aware of the exchange, not meet unknown persons alone, and refuse to conduct an exchange with someone who will not meet at the police department or another open public area. For safety reasons, NO exchange of weapons or firearms should occur on APD property.

Mayor Joe Kilsheimer supports the idea and takes pride in the Apopka Police Department’s initiative regarding its involvement in the community adding,

“Policing is not always about investigating crimes, but about preventing them," he said. "The APD has always provided programs that ensure residents live in a safe and secure community.

The Apopka Police Department is a full-service, accredited police agency with more than 150 employees including 108 sworn officers and staff. The APD supports the Crimeline program to aid in investigations and to foster safe and anonymous tips that lead to criminal arrests. You can help with these local cases - if you have relevant information, please call (800) 423-TIPS, go to www.crimeline.org, or e-mail APDCID@Apopka.net. Apopka bulletins can be found at the APD website (www.apopkapolice.com); click on “Crimeline”.