From the Apopka Police Department
Within the past two weeks, there has been an increase in face to face social media online exchange thefts initiated through sites such as Let Go, Craigslist, Offer Up and Facebook Market Place within the City of Apopka.
The Apopka Police Department wants to remind everyone that in a continuing effort to reduce opportunities for criminal activity, the Apopka Police Department has created an Exchange Zone area at the police station for residents to conduct exchanges. 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, this should give our residents a better feeling of comfort about the deals they are conducting.
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 Apopka Police Department 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 Police Department property.
Anyone with information regarding any Apopka Crimes is urged to contact the Apopka Police Department or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
