By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
From the window of his office at City Hall, Police Chief Tom McQuillen can look out at two parking spaces in front of the building that are painted with green stripes.
The green paint doesn’t indicate a no-parking zone. To the contrary, McQuillen hopes that the area will be frequently used by the public.
“It is being used. It is a win-win,” he said.
Since April 2019, Sea Isle City has designated this area outside City Hall as an “Exchange Zone” or “Internet Exchange Zone.” It is intended as a secure place allowing local residents and visitors to safely exchange items bought online.
“It’s a safer alternative than meeting up in an unknown location, for both the seller and buyer,” McQuillen explained in an interview Saturday.
With internet purchases through Craigslist and other online outlets becoming more popular, the idea is to provide safe areas where strangers may exchange goods and money. This December was the first time the exchange zone was available during the holiday gift-buying season.
People meet in a well-lighted area directly in front of City Hall that is constantly under surveillance by police cameras.
The exchange zone can also be used for other person-to-person transactions, such as child custody exchanges, Sea Isle officials said.
“Not everyone wants to go to an ex-spouse’s home,” city spokeswoman Katherine Custer noted of child custody exchanges.
Located along the curb, the two parking spaces reserved for the exchange zone are easy to identify, thanks to their bright green stripes. There is a sign that says “Internet Exchange Zone.”
There is no fee to use the exchange zone. No one needs to make reservations or even notify the police. They can simply drive up and make their exchanges.
McQuillen said the city doesn’t have any estimates to indicate how many people may be using the exchange zone on a regular basis. However, he believes that if it keeps just one person safe, it is certainly worth it.
“If it provides relief for one person, that’s good for us,” he said.
From time to time, McQuillen will see people using the exchange zone when he looks out the window from his first floor office at City Hall.
“There’s not someone every day. But there’s someone every few days, so it’s certainly worthwhile,” he said.
Sea Isle is not the only New Jersey municipality to designate a specific area as an internet exchange zone for the public. However, its location directly in front of the police headquarters at City Hall should give people a high “level of comfort,” McQuillen said.
“What I heard when we initially rolled it out is that people thought it was a great idea,” he said.
Although Sea Isle doesn’t have any immediate plans to change the exchange zone, the city would consider suggestions from the public if there are ways for making it even better, McQuillen added.
In the meantime, Sea Isle is reminding the public that strangers who show up for online transactions may be dangerous. When making arrangements to complete online transactions face-to-face, people are encouraged to follow these safety tips:
- Complete all transactions during daylight hours, if possible.
- Bring a cell phone in case of emergency.
- Notify friends or family about the details of the exchange beforehand.
- Never invite strangers into your vehicle or home – or enter a stranger’s car or agree to meet at a stranger’s home.
- Reconsider any transaction with an individual who refuses to meet at a designated “Exchange Zone.”
- In the event of any emergency, dial 911.
The Sea Isle Police Department will not verify, monitor or facilitate private transactions that are conducted within the exchange zone, the city said. Any complaints regarding transactions occurring in the exchange zone should follow normal criminal or civil complaint procedures.
