Safe Exchange Zone
Safe Exchange Zone
Akron Police Department Safe Exchange Zone
This zone offers citizens personal safety when purchasing or selling items online. It can also be used as a safe public place for a child custody exchange. This safe zone is located in the lobby of the Akron Police Department at 217 S. High Street. It is staffed with a uniformed police officer, along with surveillance cameras. This location is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without requiring appointments. Citizens entering the police station will be screened through a metal detector to ensure no concealed weapons. The Akron Police Department encourages citizens to utilize a safe zone when conducting a person to person exchange.
This safe zone will have an officer present, but the officer will not mediate or be involved with the sale or purchasing of items unless a criminal matter evolves.
Items that are not permitted for transactions:
- Weapons
- Drugs
- Alcohol
General Safety Tips:
- Trust your instincts.
- Don't go alone.
- Insist to meet at a public place.
- Do not meet in a secluded area.
- Do not invite strangers into your home, and do not go to theirs.
- Be cautious when buying/selling high value items.
- Perform the transaction during daylight hours.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Tell a friend or family member about your intentions.
- Take your cell phone with you.
If you are unable to use the internet purchase safe zone, make sure to meet the buyer/seller in a public area.
DO NOT give out personal information over the phone.
DO NOT send gift cards or money orders to anyone you do not know who calls your phone. Recently, citizens have been contacted by scammers claiming to be with a federal or local agency asking for gift card payments over the phone. Federal or local agencies will not ask for payment by gift cards.
Please contact Police Community Relations with any questions!
