“Safe zones” for exchanging custody
Due to a new state law, sheriff's offices across Florida are establishing “safe zones” for parents with shared custody of children to facilitate safe exchanges of children.
LAKELAND, Florida. – Sheriff’s offices in Florida now have designated areas or “safe zones” where separated parents with shared custody can safely exchange their children.
The new state law requires adequate lighting, purple signs or lights, and video surveillance that records 24 hours a day and stores recordings for at least 45 days.
Supporters say this law shows how dangerous custody changes can be.
READ: New Florida laws take effect July 1: Here are some of the highlights
“A lot of dangerous things can happen. We have seen occasional cases of child abuse over the years in the Tampa Bay area where there has been gun violence and fights where the perpetrator has shot their partner. That has happened in the past,” said Mindy Murphy, President/CEO of The Spring of Tampa Bay.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, by law sheriff's offices are required to have at least one location, but in fact there are 12 of them, one in each substation.
They introduced transition zones long before there was a law about it.
“We want to create a safe zone where you can exchange children, buy online or exchange products, and we've been doing this since before there was a law because we think it's a great idea. We applaud the governor and the legislature for passing this law,” Judd said.
The law was named after Florida mother Cassie Carli, who disappeared in 2022 after meeting her child's father in a restaurant parking lot during a custody exchange. Her body was discovered weeks later and the father was charged in connection with her death.
The law also requires parents who share custody to create a court-approved parenting plan that details how they will divide the day-to-day responsibilities of raising the child.
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Murphy adds that if an abuser wants to harm their former partner or children, they will eventually do so, so she advises victims to remain vigilant.
“We talk to victims a lot about safety planning,” Murphy said. “You should always trust your gut and always be aware of your surroundings. Everything around you can help you be safer, but at the end of the day you have to use your own judgment.”
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill last month, making it law.
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