Peters Twp. Police Department Testing Out New "Exchange Zone"

PETERS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- The Peters Township Police Department is all about promoting safety.

Police Chief Harry Fruecht thought what better way to do that than create what's called an Exchange Zone.

"My daughter in Texas sent me a picture of these down there and I thought man that's a really cool idea and it serves a purpose," Chief Harry Fruecht said.

It's been up and running for just a week and police say it's already been used.

"In this day in age, risk is elevated because you just don't really know anymore," Fruecht said.

This is how it works: If you bought something on Craigslist for example, Fruecht says you would park in the red parking spots under the sign, pick up your purchase then leave.

This also works when it comes to child custody exchanges. It's a safe place for parents to meet in what could be a tense situation.

The Exchange Zone is also under 24-hour surveillance so the user can feel safe during any type of transaction that's made there.

"We're not saying you're going to be safe. What we're saying is people tend to behave better when they're under video and if they don't, we'll have the video evidence to prove what went on," Fruecht said.

It is an idea some people in the community say they are on board with.

"I have a friend that's divorced and doesn't like her ex-husband coming to her home," Peters Township resident Holly Pajak said.

"There's nothing better than police station cameras everywhere to keep people in order," Canon-Mac resident John Peroni said. "If you can't get along for a couple of minutes in front of your children then what's the point."

Fruecht says this concept is new to the area. He says it was a relatively inexpensive concept that was installed rather quickly.

"I would venture that we're probably the only police department in a large portion of the state if not the whole state," Fruecht said.

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