New Safe Exchange Zone Opens Outside Becker City Hall

(KNSI) – The City of Becker has a new safe exchange zone where residents can handle online sales and child custody exchanges under police surveillance.

The zone consists of two parking spots in front of City Hall, marked for e-commerce transactions and child custody handoffs. The spots opened this week. Becker Police Officer David Ryberg said the setup is meant to give people a secure, monitored place to meet. “So, if you have a child custody situation where you need to exchange children and you’d like to do it in a safe place, like right in front of a police department, with ample lighting in the evening and 24/7 camera coverage to monitor the zone, you can do that here.”

Ryberg said parents who want an added layer of security can also arrange for an officer to be present during the handoff. He asked that anyone wanting a civil standby contact the department in advance.

The zone is not limited to custody situations. Ryberg noted it also serves residents buying and selling items online. “In this day and age, we tend to sell each other a lot of stuff on the internet, and so this is a safe place where you can meet the other party and make that purchase and that exchange in a safe area.”

The project was developed by the City of Becker safety committee.

___