Southington PD 'Safe Zones' Make Buying/Selling Less Stressful

SOUTHINGTON, CT — If you're buying or selling something to a complete stranger via those online buy/sell sites, there may be no safer place to do the transaction than a police station.

As a result, the Southington Police Department announced Wednesday it has opened a so-called "Safe Exchange Zone" in the SPD parking lot, 69 Lazy Lane, Southington.

The "safe zone" is comprised of designated parking spaces located on the south side of the building, across from the front entrance.

Police said the "Safe Exchange Zone" enables residents to conduct exchanges from Internet transactions such as Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, etc., in the safe environment of a police station.

But there's another potential use for the "safe zones" as well, police said.

"It also provides a safe area for children to be transferred between divorced parents, or guardians for visitation, making it more comfortable for everyone to meet," police said.

The police said the goal of the "safe zone" isn't to have a police officer on duty at the location at all times.

Rather, it said, "video surveillance and proximity to police personnel is meant to increase the public's piece of mind."