SWEETWATER, Tenn. — The Sweetwater Police Department announced Thursday that people would be able to meet up at the department's main entrance to safely exchange items from internet purchases, and for child custody exchanges.
They created a "safe trade zone" that is under 24-hour surveillance where people can go to ensure they can exchange items without becoming a victim of a crime. The area is located in the police department's parking lot.
Police said they had not previously seen a major issue with people meeting complete strangers. However, they said they wanted to help make people feel more at ease if they needed to meet someone for online purchases.
The "safe trade zone" is marked by a parking sign by a flagpole at the main entrance. Anyone who needs to meet someone from the internet can arrange to meet at the police department off Monroe Street and safely exchange purchases.