By Heather Collins
The Carmel Police Dept. is providing a safe place for the community to complete online transactions.
It has launched the Safe Exchange Zone, consisting of two parking spaces at 3 Civic Square. The parking spaces have signage, good lighting and 24/7 video surveillance. The Safe Exchange Zone can be used as a safe location for people to conduct social media, internet, local classifieds or any other face-to-face transactions, including those through Craiglist, Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp.
CPD Lt. Joe Bickel said departments nationwide are starting to provide similar exchange zones.
“It’s one more thing that we can do for our community to help keep this a great, safe city and for people to feel more comfortable when they are dealing with strangers,” Bickel said.
Police officers are not trained or authorized to validate the legitimacy or legality of the transaction or be a part of the transactions and will not act as witnesses for the transaction. The police department can complete VIN or serial number checks, especially if there is a concern that the items might be stolen, during normal working hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Safe Exchange Zone parking spaces are directly in front of the police building. For more, visit carmel.in.gov.
