To answer a growing need, the Elma Police Department recently established a safe area for people to make Internet purchases at the Elma Police Station.

Many people on the Harbor buy and sell goods over Facebook and other sites in groups such as “Grays Harbor Swap and Shop” and “Grays Harbor Free or For Sale,” and often the question arises about where people will make the exchange.

On Nov. 8, the Elma PD posted a sign on their station announcing, “Elma Police Internet Purchase & Child Custody Exchange Location. This area is under 24-hour video surveillance.”

While the police station has 24-hour cameras on site, the video feed is not monitored and Police Chief Sue Shultz said she continued to urge the public to be cautious when meeting anybody they do not know. She said like others across the country, her department saw a need to offer a safe place to conduct Internet purchases.

“It is much better than having strangers coming to your home, possibly putting yourself in a vulnerable position,” Shultz said. Shultz said she hadn’t personally seen the safe area used yet, but had heard of people using it. She said some in the community had expressed that the safe place was an asset to the community.

The safe place can also be used as a location where families can drop off and pick up children during custodial exchanges.

“This area is dedicated for those people going through custody battles, or divorces and in need of a safe place to exchange children for visitation,” Shultz said in an email.

Another new sign placed prominently on the Elma Police Station honors the department with a metal art piece depicting their police badge. The sign was donated by the Green family of Elma on Sept. 26, and was fabricated by Jacob Green.