CENTRALIA — With the holiday season upon us the Centralia Police Department is starting a program for its citizens offering a “safe exchange zone” for online purchases and other consumer to consumer direct exchange purchases.

Police Chief Greg Dodson says that while the City of Centralia Police Department has not investigated any incidents involving meetings where purchase exchanges have led to theft or violence, they want to have a secure location available for citizens.

The Safe Exchange Zone includes the public parking lot, located on the south side of the Police Department, as well as the lobby.

The Safe Exchange Zones are available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offer video surveillance at all times.

The Department also encourages the use of these Safe Exchange Zones by parents and caregivers who have concerns regarding child custody transfers.

Dodson says this is another effort CPD to provide services that improve the safety and security of the citizens of Centralia.