Newman residents passing by Main Street may have noticed some new signage in front of the Newman Police Department building.

Those signs are for two newly added safe exchange zones, a designated location where two individuals can meet up for an item transaction or child custody exchange. The decision for the space was due to online transactions sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist becoming more prevalent to exchange items, said Newman PD Lieutenant Ashley Williams.

With the designated area, both parties can be assured that they’re not only safe, but a 24-hour surveillance will monitor the entire situation. If a police response is needed, individuals are advised to call 911 as posted on the signage.

“We wanted to offer the community the opportunity to have a safe location to do these exchanges,” Williams said. “Their safety is our number one priority, so we wanted to offer that.”

Newman PD is not the only police department in Stanislaus County with the safe exchange zone. In 2019, the Modesto Police Department introduced its exchange spot in front of its police station.

The idea of the area was first brought up last month, Williams said. She added that the signage was installed in front of the police station last Tuesday.

The announcement has garnered a lot of Newman residents’ attention on social media, with the Newman PD’s Facebook post about the signage gaining more than 300 likes and 33 comments. The comments have been positive as it praises the department’s decision.

Williams said it’s great to see the positive reception. She added that the department is willing to listen to constructive criticism of the decision. “We’re happy that it got a lot of traction online, so that more people see it.”

So far, the area has not been used for an exchange at the moment, Williams said. But as the zone gains more traction in the future, safety remains a priority for the department.

For anyone participating in online exchanges through an in-person meetup, Williams recommends the following:

● Have the exchanges take place during the day, if possible

● Meet at a public location, even if it's not a safe exchange zone

● Don’t share your personal information

● Be aware of surroundings

● Trust your instincts

“Their safety is our number one priority, so we hope they utilize this location just as a means to try and keep them safe,” Williams said.