people who buy or sell items on on-line marketplaces like E-Bay or
Craigs List to meet the other party for the transaction in the safety of
the six police substations across the city, News Radio 1200 WOAI
reports.
Police Chief Bill McManus says there has been many
cases where people find out too late that the on line transaction was
simply a set up.
"There have been some pretty heinous crimes
committed against people who think they are about to make a business
deal, whether its Craigs List or some other exchange, and they end up
being robbed, or worse," Police Chief Bill McManus said.
McManus says the buyers and sellers can meet inside the police substation, all of which are staffed around the clock.
"It gives them a safe haven, it gives them the security of having the
police right there," he said. "I think its a great idea."
McManus says the parties can meet in the lobby, or, if they want to stay
in their cars, they can meet in the parking lots. All police
substation parking lots have surveillance cameras and are well lighted.
"We'll have signed that will be in the parking lot to designate the
spot where they should do it if they will be in the parking lot," he
said.
The proposal was the brainchild of northeast side Councilman Mike Gallagher.
"Providing the community with an option to safely conduct business like
this is long overdue," Gallagher said. "Not only will our residents be
afforded an opportuity to safely conduct e-commerce exchanges with
neighbors, they will also have the opportunity to meet their
neighborhood patrol officers."
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