It’s not the first in the United States, but it is very likely the first one in West Virginia. At least, Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr thinks it is – and it’s now operational.
Kerr recently confirmed that just off of Bridgeport’s Main Street, or U.S. Route 50, past the Municipal Building and before the new Manchin Clinic is the area’s first “Safe Exchange Zone.” The actual area of the new zone is the entrance to the Bridgeport City Garage.
The Safe Exchange Zone is a new trend that designates a certain place where individuals who want to exchange items for sale or perhaps drop children off as part of a custody agreement – or any number of other reasons – can meet in a safe area. What makes the new area safe is that it is in a heavily trafficked area, highly lit and will also have live video coverage that is recorded.
“It’s exactly what it’s designated to be and that’s a place to exchange goods or those with a custody situation can feel secure. Basically, it’s a safe place for people to go for those purposes,” said Kerr.
Bridgeport’s new location isn’t just easy to find due to its location. The city also has put up new signs that specifically show the exchange zones.
So was this the city’s idea?
“This came up at a Bridgeport GFWC Bridgeport Junior Woman’s Club meetings,” said Kerr, who is a member. “(Members) Michelle Duez and (co-President) Anna Matheny brought up the idea.”
From there, Kerr took it to city officials who agreed that it not only was a good idea, but one that could be put into play. Kerr said the city entered into a partnership with the GFWC club with the city purchasing the cameras and the club purchasing the signs.
“The signs are up and the cameras are on the digital city sign already in operation,” said Kerr. “Everything is working at this moment as the video is wirelessly transmitted to the police department.”
Kerr said she hopes people will take advantage of the location. Most important, she said people will feel safe when they go there.
“With social media, people are buying and selling goods and they have to go to a place to complete a transaction. If you are on Facebook, it seems like there are a million Facebook pages that have a yard sale theme and for those individuals that use those sites this will certainly provide a safe exchange point,” said Kerr. “It’s open and ready to be used. Now we have to get the word out.”
Editor's Note: Bridgeport's Fred Burton is shown above as he installed the signs recently, while City Clerk Andrea Kerr is shown below.
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