Safe exchange zone installed at Wautoma Police Department

On April 29th the City of Wautoma Public Works Department installed a new sign at the police department. The sign designates a parking area in front of the police station as a safe exchange zone to trade and sell items.
E-Commerce has become common in all communities and involves selling and buying items from strangers on websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Inviting strangers into your home is never a good idea. The new designated trade location provides a safer, well-lit meeting spot for legal transactions that the police department has under 24-hour video surveillance.
Chief Mott stated that he has even been leery of meeting some individuals for online sales and hopes that the designated location at a police department will help deter anyone with bad intentions. Wautoma does not have robberies associated with online sales like many communities, but we have seen reports of fraudulent transactions, counterfeit currency, inappropriate sexual conduct and trade disputes. The new location will aid officers in solving any crimes associated with the trade and I hope it continues to keep our crime reduction trend on a positive path.