MIAMI COUNTY, IN- On Saturday, the Miami County Works Collaborative Committee launched the “Safe Exchange Zone” located on the corner of South Broadway and East Third Street in Peru and within the lobby of Peru City Hall. The program is designed to increase safety while buying and selling goods through local social media sites.
Here is Debi Wallick with more: (audio)
The idea was brought to the attention of the city by Antonia Sawyer, Founder CEO of ShipHappens, Debi Wallick, Executive Director of the Miami County United Way, and community member Shelley Sheneman in an effort to protect the health and safety of all residents.
It was without hesitation that this health strategy was adopted and is one that the collaborative sees as a way to reduce anxiety and increase honesty in exchanges happening within the community.
Peru City Hall now has designated parking for safe exchanges to take place, which is always monitored by surveillance cameras in the event a transaction does go wrong. The designated areas have signs posted and are free to use.
For questions about the initiative or to share with the Miami County Works Collaborative Committee your ideas for future initiatives, please reach out to Debi Wallick at debiw@uwmiamip.org or Antonia Sawyer at 1979antonia@jnjcomputers.com
As e-commerce gains in popularity, the need for “Safe Exchange Zones” becomes more apparent. This is one way the City of Peru is responding to the changes in how people conduct business over the internet and in person.
