Transactions in front of town hall recorded
With the help of Flomaton Police Chief Dereck Lowry and Flomaton Utilities Superintendent Shaun Moye, parking places in front of Flomaton Town Hall have been designated as a safety zone, which is under surveillance 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Chief Lowry said the safety zone sign had been inside town hall for months and Moye made him aware the town had the sign
"Basically it's a safety zone for people who may be exchanging custody of children," Lowry said. "It could also be used for people who purchase items off of Facebook or other social media sites and want to have a safe place to meet to make the exchange."
"All transactions, whether it's parents swapping children or people purchasing an item from someone they don't know, it will all be recorded on camera," Lowry said.
Lowry said he'd seen 'safe zones' established in other agencies and felt it was needed in Flomaton. He noted that he worked with the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff's Office before becoming Flomaton's police chief and there is a 'safe zone' in front of the sheriff's office and jail.
"People exchange children in the parking lot at the jail," he said. "We want a safe place for people to have when they need a safe place. If something goes wrong with the exchange we can rectify what happens because it will all be on camera."
"Shaun Moye said the sign was available and we made it happen," Lowry said. "It's something good for people to have a safe place to come."
