Safe Exchange Zone Initiative

The Carbondale Police Department offers a safe exchange zone (PDF) for online purchases (Craigslist, Ebay, Heartland Community Swap). While the City of Carbondale Police Department has not investigated any incidents involving meetings where transaction encounters have led to violence, we want to have a secure location available for our citizens.

The Safe Exchange Zone includes the public parking lot, located on the south side of the Police Department, as well as the lobby.

Child Custody Transfers

The Department encourages the use of police facilities for parents and caregivers who have concerns regarding child custody transfers. The Safe Exchange Zones are available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offer video surveillance at all times.

Tips for Online Purchases

  • Ask lots of questions if you decide to meet with a prospective buyer or seller
  • Disable all location services on your technology devices
  • Do not meet someone alone
  • Do not meet someone you’re not familiar with in an unfamiliar location
  • Do not provide personal or financial information
  • Do not reveal personal information, location information or other items, which may attract online predators
  • Do not send digital photographs with embedded global positioning system (GPS) data