Redcliff RCMP have created a Safe Exchange Zone outside the detachment. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

At Redcliff RCMP detachment

Safe Exchange Zone ‘a next level of comfort’ for buyers and sellers

Nov 26, 2021 | 1:28 PM

REDCLIFF, AB – RCMP in Redcliff have created a Safe Exchange Zone to help bring peace of mind to community members.

The zone is located right outside the RCMP detachment on Mitchell Street.

“Having a space here provides a next level of comfort when you’re meeting an unknown person to either buy something or sell something,” says detachment commander Sgt. Al Rivard.

He says they know there’s a risk that comes with online transactions and unknown buyers and sellers.

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RCMP always provide tips for exchanges such as meeting in a public place, bringing a second person with you and keeping emails or text messages between yourself and the other party.

“With our tip of being in a public space, being in a non-isolated place we feel that this is a really safe location for those exchanges to happen,” says Rivard. “And really if someone’s not willing to meet you here at the detachment to do that exchange with you then you probably don’t want to be doing that exchange with that person.”

The space is available 24 hours a day, but daytime meetings are advised. Rivard adds officers are not available to supervise meetings or help negotiate sales.

Medicine Hat Police Service also has a Safe Exchange Zone outside of its station.