Safe Exchange Zone

Recent national incidents have indicated that in-person sales, transactions and exchanges originating from online marketplaces such as Craigslist have experienced an increase in violence, fraud and theft by deception. In an effort to promote safer transactions between strangers, we are encouraging residents to use their local police department parking lots and lobbies as a meeting place for in-person transactions to occur.

Program Overview

The East Brunswick Police Department has established a "Safe Exchange Zone" for Craigslist sales and other online marketplaces. Two parking stalls in the parking lot of the Municipal Court next to Police Headquarters are open and available to the public as a "Safe Exchange Zone" for conducting in-person transactions that have been facilitated through online marketplaces. The parking stalls are indicated by signage. 

The designated "Safe Exchange Zone" is available to the public from 8:30 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week for conducting in-person transactions that have been facilitated through online marketplaces. Access to the Police Headquarters lobby may also be granted for "safe exchanges" during non-court hours and may be arranged in advance by calling the police department.

Surveillance of Transactions

The Township of East Brunswick and the East Brunswick Police Department will make no guarantees, assurances, or promises as to the safety or security of any in-person transactions that may take place on township property. The East Brunswick Police Department will not provide personnel or staff to witness any transaction in-person. The East Brunswick Police Department will maintain video surveillance of the "Safe Exchange Zones." The recorded video will be retained for a ten day period. Cameras associated with surveillance coverage are monitored via video displays inside police headquarters.

While East Brunswick will not provide police personnel or staff to witness these transactions in person, the building's video surveillance and proximity to police headquarters is meant to increase the public's peace of mind when they meet strangers to buy or sell an item.