Safe Exchange Zone

For Immediate Release

“City of Montgomery Safe Exchange Zone”

Date:  March 03, 2021

To create a safe space for residents selling goods online, the Montgomery Police Department will be introducing a Safe Exchange Zone, March 08, 2021 in the city hall parking lot at 101 Old Plantersville Rd, Montgomery TX. 77316. The zone is made up of two parking spaces outlined in blue that will be under 24-hour video surveillance and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“It can be used for child custody drop offs, e-commerce transactions, or instances where a person would feel more comfortable having video surveillance.” Montgomery Police Chief Anthony Solomon said.

Residents who participate in local “Beg, Barter, Buy” pages on Facebook or Craigslist are encouraged to use the zone as a meeting place to avoid going to a stranger’s home.  However, officials said Montgomery Police Officers will not personally witness, facilitate or participate in exchanges.

“We’ve gotten a very good response from residents,” Solomon said.  City officials are encouraging Montgomery, Harris County and surrounding residents to use the zone exchange in The City of Montgomery.

“This isn’t necessarily a new program, but it’s something that we wanted to bring to our area especially because Facebook groups are so popular these days and people make all types of contacts locally, to exchange goods,” Solomon said. “We wanted to give people a place where they could feel comfortable meeting.”

Additionally, department officials encouraged individuals participating in online exchanges to take precautions when posting on social media by disabling location services and withholding personal information, such as home addresses and credit card numbers.