Check out LPPD's safety zone for residents to conduct property exchanges and online sales transactions.
SAFETY ZONE REMINDER! Since 2015, the La Porte Police Department has offered a camera-monitored safety zone for La Porte residents. Placed along the front parking lot of the LPPD Police Facility, located at 3001 North 23rd Street, is a citizen exchange safety zone, allowing area residents to make property exchanges and online initiated sales transactions in a well-lit public area monitored by police surveillance cameras. Additionally, while civil in nature, child custody exchanges can also occur in the digitally monitored section. The exchange zone is LPPD’s response to a national trend in violence and theft offenses during the exchange of property from various online sites, such as Craigslist, eBay, and others. Essentially, some criminals pose as traders, then rob or assault other parties when an exchange of property was initially agreed upon. With safety zones popping up nationwide, various transactions can occur in relative safety. Moreover, with police facility zones, such as the one offered by the City of La Porte, should a citizen experience any problems during the transaction, they are but a few feet away from the front door of the police department. Equally important, police can immediately ensure video evidence is secured for any investigations and/or criminal prosecution. For more information on LPPD’s citizen exchange safety zone, or if you have been a victim of a crime related to a property exchange, please contact the LPPD Criminal Investigation Division at 281-842-3173. You may also follow us on Facebook at @LaPortePoliceDepartment.