WARTBURG, Tenn. — Morgan County has a place where people can safely meet up for swapping items, selling products or for child custody exchanges.
The Wartburg Police Department said Friday it opened two parking spaces near Wartburg City Hall for the safe exchange zone. Those parking spaces are under 24-hour surveillance and are in a well-lit area, helping make sure people can safely meet up. People who want to use the area also do not need to notify the Wartburg Police Department ahead of time.
Although the area is well-lit, the police department also urged people to arrange meet-ups during daylight hours to help make sure everyone involved stays safe. Officers also said people should bring a friend or family member along, or tell them where they're going ahead of time.
Illegal transactions are not allowed in the parking areas, such as any involving narcotics or stolen property. WPD also encouraged people to stay vigilant of possible scams using fake profiles on social media.
"If a deal seems too good to be true, it is more than likely a scam," WPD said on social media.
Safe exchange zones are usually set up ahead of the holidays, when more people may shop on online marketplaces and arrange meetups to purchase gifts. Police departments usually use them to help people minimize the risk associated with meeting people who they only know online.