CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Friday, 14 zones launched in Charlotte to provide people with safe places for exchanging items purchased online.
The exchange zones were coordinated through a partnership between the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and QuikTrip to offer community members a safer alternative while conducting online transactions.
The safe zones were created just a few months after a beloved college baseball player was shot and killed in west Charlotte.
Zones are now open at the following QuikTrip locations:
- 127 E. Woodlawn Rd., Charlotte, NC 28217
- 6721 Albemarle Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212
- 7205 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28216
- 2326 Sandy Porter Rd., Charlotte, NC 28273
- 11230 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28262
- 7115 S. Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273
- 3025 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28208
- 116 Clanton Rd., Charlotte, NC 28217
- 3206 Eastway Dr., Charlotte, NC 28205
- 5209 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28212
- 4937 Sunset Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269
- 4200 Brookshire Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28216
- 5708 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28213
- 10910 Golf Links Dr., Charlotte, NC 28213
According to officials, there will be two parking spots marked with red paint at every exchange zone location to identify were people should park.
Officials said the exchange zones are monitored by surveillance video around the clock, and that officers will periodically conduct zone checks in the parking lots of each location. Officers will not oversee or broker transactions, officials added.
Officials said that it’s critical for community members to understand that there is always a potential threat to safety whenever strangers meet to conduct financial transactions, regardless of location.
CMPD said it’s currently working to find additional private sector partners to participate in the program and will routinely meet with QuikTrip representatives to evaluate the success of the exchange zones.
Cox Media Group
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