Child Custody Safe Zone In Freehold Created By County Sheriff

By Carol Williams/Patch Staff

FREEHOLD, NJ - Sheriff Shaun Golden is seeking to enhance the safety of Monmouth County residents involved in potentially tense situations such as child custody drop-offs and collections by providing a safe exchange zone outside his Kozloski Road office.

This zone is being established for people who exchange goods, have child custody issues or conduct private property transactions. The exchange zone includes two parking spots in the front of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, located at 2500 Kozloski Road, here, and will be under constant video surveillance 24 hours a day seven days a week.

In order to use the area, residents need only to make arrangements to meet. The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office recommends transactions take place during daylight hours.

“Nothing is more important than maintaining the safety and security of the residents in Monmouth County and this is another step to help ensure that effort,” said Golden in a release. “In-person internet transactions have become an extremely popular way for people to buy and sell items but it can also be a risk. The area, designated as a safe exchange zone, creates a safer place for residents to conduct their business, often with strangers, (minimizing) exposure to danger.”

Further, the sheriff said, with the holiday season here, the use of in-person transactions is likely to increase but buyers must beware. These types of sales have created opportunities for criminals and as a result, crimes have been committed throughout the country.

In addition to increased safety regarding e-commerce transactions through online buyers from websites, the zone also creates a safer environment to protect those dealing with child custody issues, Golden said.

Monmouth County Sheriff's Office has created a safe zone around its Freehold office. Photograph by Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press