Safe Exchange Zone

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Safe Exchange Zone is a Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office initiative implemented February 17 2016 to provide a convenient and safe location to conduct goods and/or custody exchanges. As a result of increased on-line sales transactions requiring face-to-face meetings, it was decided to provide our county residents with a dedicated location to conduct safe exchanges and meetings. Initial research indicated our safe zone would be of specific interest to individuals involved in child custody exchanges. Our safe zone consists of three dedicated parking spaces monitored by 24/7 video camera surveillance and deputy staffing during regular business hours. The Safe Exchange Zone is located at 9500 Courthouse Road Chesterfield, VA 23832 due to its convenient location, camera coverage and law enforcement traffic during regular business hours. The zone is painted a light blue arc shape with a white exterior band to assist customers with zone identification. Three wayfinding signs are provided in the county complex to assist new customers with finding the safe zone. A panic/duress button with a blue light is provided for additional alarm and notification of on-duty deputy personnel. Deputy monitoring is provided during regular working hours by staff within the court building and after hours and weekend monitoring is provided by deputies assigned to the county jail.