Growing concerns over people exchanging goods from internet barter sites and issues that may exist between estranged spouses delivering children for visitation has led to a move by the Cullman Police Department that may ease some anxieties.

In a program known as Safe Exchange Zone, the police department has clearly marked a parking area at its station where people can meet to drop off children for visitation with an ex-husband or wife within view of police officers.

“It’s something that’s being done in locations all over the country now, and something we’ve done as well. But we’ve added efficient surveillance cameras so that anyone who uses the exchange zone can be seen by our staff,” Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper said.

The intent of the program is not to interfere with people, unless a problem arises, but to provide a measure of security.

“In some relationships, a man and woman who were married may not always get along well, or their families don’t, and they can use this zone to bring their children in a situation where the man or woman has visitation rights,” Culpepper said. “A lot of times the courts may want this done in the presence of or within sight of law enforcement officers for safety purposes.”

Culpepper also noted that many people use Craig’s List and other online yard sale sites to sell and buy merchandise and find themselves meeting strangers. Using the safe zone can provide safety for either party.

“Anyone who uses the zone doesn’t have to come in and tell us. Once they meet in the designated spaces or have been ordered by a court to meet there, the surveillance occurs the moment they pull in,” he said.

Officers finished marking off the designated zone Friday. The cameras are also in place that feed into the police department.