OPD’s “E-Commerce Exchange Zone” aims to keep community’s online market safe

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Posted December 3, 2021 | By James Blevins
james@ocalagazette.com

Anyone who has tried to sell something online, and experienced the alarming quantity of questionable inquiries, knows the uneasy feeling of such transactions.

While most e-commerce transactions completed between two otherwise associated parties on the internet go off without incident, some, unfortunately, result in crimes.

The Ocala Police Department’s (OPD) “E-Commerce Exchange Zone” is an example of one such step that many communities across the country are taking to help make the exchanging of products that are initially bought online safer to conduct for both the buyer and the seller.

“Unfortunately, there are criminals online looking to steal or take advantage of other people,” said Mike Balkan, chief of police for the OPD. “Our goal with this initiative was to help protect our citizens by providing a safe place to exchange money for items.”

Officially started in September of 2015, the exchange zone is a 24-hour surveillance area located in the parking lot directly in front of the department’s headquarters at 402 S. Pine Ave.

Balkan said he hopes that a centrally located exchange zone placed near a police department may help deter many crimes from occurring.

For more information on the OPD’s “E-Commerce Exchange Zone,” please call (352) 369-7000.