Full Notification

CITY OF EL CERRITO – The El Cerrito Police Department unveils a newly created Safe Exchange Zone located in the visitor parking area on Kearney St. north of Manila Ave, on the east side of the police department. The Safe Exchange Zone is the result of a working partnership between the City Council and the Police Department.

Council member Paul Fadelli mentioned the idea of a safe exchange zone to Chief Paul Keith, and within a few weeks the zone was in place. The area consists of two dedicated and marked parking stalls on the east side of the El Cerrito Police Department. Signage was placed in front of each stall stating the parameters of the zone. The Safe Exchange Zone exists for residents to have a safe place to conduct sales transactions negotiated through internet sales websites such as LetGo and Craigslist. The zone will also be used for child custody exchanges and the area is under 24 hour surveillance with the use of security cameras.

Employees of the Police Department and the City cannot act as a party or witness to the exchange, nor do employees monitor the security cameras. However, if actions by the involved parties result in a crime, the security footage can be downloaded to view the exchange, see those involved, and view associated vehicles. The El Cerrito Police Department wants residents to know the area is available 24 hours a day and to consider using the location for all internet sales transactions.

The seller and buyer in these transactions should be able to meet you at the police department to finalize the deal. Please question any seller or buyer who is unwilling to meet at a Safe Exchange Zone and do not go through with the transaction. The El Cerrito Police Department has experienced very few robberies related to the sale of an item on an internet commerce site, but many instances of this can be found in our surrounding areas and throughout the Country.