Kent County Creates Secure Exchange Zones

The Kent County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) has set up designated "exchange zones" in hopes of making exchanges of online purchases, as well as child custody exchanges, safer.

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Online purchases from places such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist have increased in recent years, and many are wary of meeting up with strangers to exchange goods.

These new zones set up by the Kent County Sheriff's Office are intended to help ease some of that worry.

Where Are the Designated Exchange Zones in Kent County, Michigan?

Currently, KCSO has three Exchange Zones located throughout the county. These zones can be found at the following locations.

Grand Rapids - at the main Kent County Sheriff's Office (701 Ball Ave. NE)
Cedar Springs - at the Kent County Sheriff's Office North Substation (4191 17 Mile Rd. NE)
Caledonia - at the Kent County Sheriff's Office South Substation (8557 Kalamazoo Ave SE)

What Are the Advantages of Using Kent County's Designated Exchange Zones

These zones will have 24/7 video surveillance (just in case something goes sideways). They also provide Kent County residents (and even those who reside outside of the county, but are executing an exchange within the county) a secure, neutral location to ensure that exchanges go as safely as possible.

If you encounter an emergency at one of those locations (or at any time), you're asked to dial 911.

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