BAKER, La. (BRPROUD) – The Baker Police Department has a safe exchange location in town. Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn said the Safe Exchange Zone was created after an exchange of property for money at an apartment complex turned into a robbery.
“I said, ‘Well, we need to do something where people can meet up in a park or somewhere after dark,'” Dunn said.
Dunn said he was able to work something out with Entergy and upgrade the department’s lighting and put in new LED lights in the parking lot. Several cameras are focused there, and Dunn also got two license plate readers. Dunn said they get every plate that comes through the store.
“I’ve committed my budget for the year, which was the fiscal year running this year, for new cameras, new license plate readers and everything. So every transaction can be recorded,” he said.
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Everything was done in 14 months. Dunn said many courts order custody swaps at police stations because of disputes or domestic situations.
The Safe Exchange zone applies to all transactions, not just child custody exchanges.
“I keep this area clear of all police cars and police vehicles. So there’s always parking here,” Dunn said.
The area is monitored 24 hours a day and is located on the west side of the building. The Baker Police Department is located at 1320 Alabama St.
“We just tried to do everything we could to keep everyone safe,” Dunn said.
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