EAST BRUNSWICK – Recent national incidents have indicated that in-person sales, transactions and exchanges originating from online marketplaces have experienced an increase in violence, fraud and theft by deception.
In an effort to promote safer transactions between strangers, the East Brunswick Police Department is encouraging residents to use the police department’s designated parking lots and lobbies as a meeting place for in-person transactions to occur.
The “Safe Exchange Zone” will assist residents in conducting their transactions in the safe environment of the municipal court parking lot next to police headquarters on Civic Center Drive, according to information provided by the police department. It will be available to the public from 8:30-11 a.m. every day.
“It is not the intent of the East Brunswick Police Department to provide police personnel or staff to witness any transaction in person, but the video surveillance by and proximity to police personnel is meant to increase the public’s peace of mind when engaging in such transactions with unfamiliar individuals,” the statement said.
However, access to the headquarters lobby may be granted at the discretion of the station commander for exchanges involving smaller non-bulky items on a case-by-case basis during non-court hours.
