A safer place to exchange

by Melanie Romano, 6^th District Community Services Officer, Montgomery County Police Department

The Montgomery County Police Department has designated Exchange Zones to provide a safe, monitored location for residents to complete online transactions, such as those arranged through Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or to conduct custody exchanges. The Exchange Zone program, implemented in 2017, helps reduce and deter crimes, such as assaults, theft, robbery, and fraud.

Safe Exchange Zones are located in the lobbies and parking lots of all six police district stations.

1^st District – 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg

2^nd District – 4823 Rugby Avenue, Bethesda (only the lobby is open)

3^rd District – 1002 Milestone Drive, Silver Spring

4^th District – 2300 Randolph Road, Wheaton

5^th District – 20000 Aircraft Drive, Germantown

6^th District – 222 Paramount Park Drive, Gaithersburg

Safety Tips
Online marketplaces have become a common place for people to find deals and resell items. It’s important to keep safety in mind when meeting someone you don’t know. The Montgomery County Police Department offers the following tips:

1. Always meet the buyer or seller at an exchange zone that is well populated, well-lit, and preferably at a designated police exchange zone.
2. Tell a friend or family member where you’re going to meet someone and when possible, take a friend with you.
3. Inform the buyer/seller that you will not be alone.
4. Trust your instincts; if it sounds like a scam or too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Do not invite strangers into your home.
6. Never give out any personal or financial information.

Learn more from MCPD 6D by reading their latest quarterly newsletter at www.montgomeryvillage.com.