With the rise of Craigslist-related crimes and scams, police departments across Oakland County, Michigan are offering residents to use their buildings for safe transactions. Recent reports Craigslist transactions gone bad have prompted the department to remind the community that their facility is under video surveillance 24/7. Read the whole story here.

Troy Police Officer Janice Pokley looks at Craigslist at her desk at the department. Thursday, February 18, 2016. Tim Thompson-The Oakland Press ​

The Springfield Police Department in Greene County, Missouri has designated a parking space at its downtown headquarters, 321 E. Chestnut Expressway, as a "Safe Exchange Zone." The parking lot may be used by citizens at any time, and the building's lobby is open from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Read local coverage here.

The Denison Police Department has new “safe exchange zones.” They’re parking spaces on the east side of the building, marked with paint on the pavement. To read news coverage, click here.

The Hortonville Village Board recently approved creating one of the area’s first Internet exchange safe zones. 

Two overhead lights and a surveillance camera cover the area just outside the police department’s squad room windows.

​The exchange zone is open 24 hours, and people do not need to ask permission to use the area.
“We prefer people trade or make their exchanges during the day, but we understand that doesn’t always happen,” said Hortonville Police Chief Michael Sullivan (pictured below). “Our goal is to do everything we can to make it safe for the consumer and the seller.” To read the article which appeared in the February 10 Waupaca County News, and which received 6,000 hits, click here. 

Greenfield Police on Sunday unveiled a new effort to fight crooks on sites like Craigslist, which offer peer-to-peer shopping for everything from cars to couches, sports tickets to sports equipment.

The proposal is to set up a "safe zone" in the police department's parking lot for people to complete their transaction.

"It's a support for the people who are honestly using these websites and exchanges to be comfortable in what they're doing," said Sgt. Peter Regenfelder. "We just don't want to anyone to get hurt."

Clarksville, AR, Greenwood, AR and Sallisaw, OK police departments offer safe exchange zones, and Fort Smith Police Department (AR) offers their lobby during business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays. See more here.

Fort Collins Police Services in Colorado recently designated two public exchange zones for sales and trades between citizens. The areas provide a safe alternative to meeting someone at their residence to buy or sell an item.

Stop by the police station's public lobby, 2221 S. Timberline Road, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The north public parking lot of the police station can be used 24/7. Both areas are well-lit with video surveillance.

​The rules? You can't sell or exchange weapons, drugs or illegal items at either location. You also can't ask Fort Collins Police Services employees to be witnesses of the exchange, ask them to give legal advice or settle disputes related to the exchange. Employees aren't responsible for ensuring the value, authenticity or legitimacy of exchanges.

The area in front of both police stations are monitored by 24-hour surveillance. Read more here.