The Chattanooga Police Department has designated a space in the front of the Police Service Center at 3410 Amnicola Hwy. as a "Safe Exchange Zone".
The purpose of CPD Safe Exchange Zone is to protect Chattanooga community members while swapping, trading, buying/selling items or during child custody exchanges.
The designated location has several video cameras which record 24/7 to ensure a safe transaction.
Anyone who wants to make a transaction does not need to check in at CPD. Participants need only to park in front of the sign and complete their business within the zone markings.
This Safe Exchange Zone is intended for legal small item transactions and child custody exchanges.
Certain transactions are prohibited: including illegal transactions such as narcotics, hazardous materials, stolen property and transactions involving firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Even with the 24-hour surveillance video at the Chattanooga Police Department, police still recommend meeting to make exchanges during daylight hours, telling a friend where you’re going and remember if a deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
A list of other Safe Exchange Zones in TN and other parts of the country are listed on www.safetradestations.com.