The Vinton Police Department has designated a “Safe Exchange Zone” (SEZ) in the parking area in front of the police department.

The SEZ is a designated area, which is under 24-hour camera surveillance, for child custody exchanges, meeting persons for internet sales (e.g. Craigslist), or any other lawful activity where one might need to briefly interact with someone they don’t know.

Chief of Police Tom Foster said, “Person-to-person, private party transactions are becoming much more commonplace in our society. The sale of concert and sporting event tickets, at home business transactions, and things such as online ‘yard sales’ are offering more opportunities for criminals to victimize members of our community. We hope the Safe Exchange Zone will minimize that opportunity.”

The SEZ is available to anyone in the Roanoke Valley, not just residents of the Town of Vinton.  The Vinton Police Department is located in back of the Municipal Building located at 311 South Pollard Street in downtown Vinton.

Foster said, “If a person doesn’t want to meet you at the Safe Exchange Zone, you probably don’t want to buy what they’re selling.”

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the Vinton Police Department at 983-0617 or at vintonpolice.com.