BEACHWOOD – A Safe Exchange Zone has been established in the front parking lot of the Beachwood Municipal Complex.
If a resident has made a purchase from a local person through EBay, Craigslist, Facebook marketplace or any other online service, the Safe Exchange Zone acts as a neutral territory for the transaction to take place.
The zone is available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s in front of the building, just look for the sign.
There will be a security camera trained on the area and recordings are kept for ten days.
The lobby of the Police Department can also be used for these purposes between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays.
The Safe Exchange Zone comes with some rules, though. There can’t be any illegal transactions, naturally. The exchange can’t be for any type of weapons, destructive devices, drugs or drug paraphernalia. These items are not permitted on the property.
While the zone is being watched, and officers are often nearby, the police will not provide any personnel to witness the transactions.
“The building’s video surveillance and proximity to police headquarters is meant to increase the public’s peace of mind when they meet strangers to buy or sell an item,” police said. “The Borough of Beachwood and the Beachwood Police Department will make no guarantees, assurances, or promises as to the safety or security of any in-person transaction that may take place on Borough property.”
The Municipal Complex is located at 1600 Pinewald Road.
