AUSTIN (KXAN) — Folks in Buda who need a safe, public meetup spot for online purchase transactions or child custody exchanges now have a place to go.
The Buda Police Department added a Safe Exchange Zone by the department building. It’s located at 405 E Loop St. in Buda.
A spokesperson for the police department said the zone was established at the beginning of the month after residents saw similar programs in other cities and asked if it’d be possible to add one in Buda
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According to Buda police, the spot is not actively monitored, but it is recorded by surveillance cameras 24/7, and residents and visitors can use the space at any time and request footage from the time of their visit if needed.
“Having a designated area allows residents and visitors meet in an area where they feel more safe than a fast food place or gas station,” the Buda Police spokesperson said via email Wednesday. “They can have an increased sense of security knowing they would have the fastest response time by BPD officers should something bad happen. They also take advantage of being in a well-lit area under video surveillance 24/7. For patrol officers, it allows them to be freed up for other calls for service if they are not requested.”
The police department will evaluate how well the space is utilized and “would be open to more locations in the city based on video footage capabilities,” according to the spokesperson…