Photo submitted to the Times Observer The city’s new Safe Exchange Zone is pictured.

The city of Warren has established a new “Safe Exchange Zone,” providing residents with a secure and monitored location for child custody exchanges and online transactions.

The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Warren Police Department and Warren City Council, aims to enhance safety and peace of mind for the community. The Safe Exchange Zone is located behind the city building, near the Warren Area Student Union. The area is under continuous surveillance, offering a secure environment for sensitive exchanges.

The Safe Exchange Zone provides a designated, monitored location for child custody exchanges by offering a neutral and secure meeting point for parents, reducing potential stress and conflict during custody transfers as well as online purchase transactions, providing a safe alternative to meeting strangers at private residences, allowing individuals to complete online sales or purchases with greater confidence.

“The idea for a Safe Exchange Zone came from Sgt. Joe Bees, who approached me with this valuable concept,” said City Council member Phil Gilbert. “I then presented it to City Manager Mike Holtz, and from there, our dedicated city staff, with the crucial support of Police Chief Joe Sproveri and Sgt. Bees, worked diligently to make this a reality. This is a fantastic example of how collaboration between our police department and city government can directly benefit our residents.”