Safe ‘Exchange Zone’ at Dublin Police Department Intended to Protect Residents

DUBLIN, CA — Dublin residents now have a safe place to conduct child custody exchanges or e-commerce transactions without fear of being victimized. The Dublin Police Services recently debuted a designated safe “exchange zone” in the parking lot that is well lit and under 24-hour video surveillance. The video is not monitored in live time.

The proliferation of online transactions has led to an increased risk of being victimized during the exchange of goods. The lot offers residents protection from robbery and other potential crimes.

“While Dublin Police cannot guarantee that people won’t become victims of crime or fraud as a result of their transactions, the video monitoring and nearby police presence are meant to provide a safer alternative to meeting a stranger in their home or at an unfamiliar location,” police officials said in a statement.

Dublin’s exchange zone is now available for use; no appointment is necessary.

Police departments have long been used for child custody exchanges but using them for private party transactions has also been on the rise over the past several years, according to police officials.

The idea seems to be catching on around Tri-Valley and across the state. The Pleasanton Police Department and Buena Park Police Department in southern California also created a “safe exchange zones.”

Dublin Police Services is located at 100 Civic Plaza.

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