SAFE SPACE ----
BRUNSWICK HILLS – The township’s police department announced last week that it has joined the list of departments in northeast Ohio that have created a safe spot for its citizens who are executing transactions initiated online.
To help citizens complete these transactions safely, township police highly recommend that buyers and sellers meet in a highly visible, public place and are offering up the parking lot outside their station, as well as the lobby of the police station, as “safe zones” for buyers and sellers of internet transactions to meet to complete their deals.
“Online sites, such as Craigslist, eBay, Facebook and many other websites are great tools for finding good deals, but can also be dangerous if not handled wisely,” Sopkovich said. “Besides the possibility of scams and fraudulent transactions, there are also isolated incidents of buyers and sellers of internet transactions that end up being victims of crimes like robbery, theft and assault when they meet in person to complete the transaction.”
People do not need to ask permission or make an appointment to use the lobby for this purpose, Sopkovich said, noting that weapons are not allowed in the police department.
The Brunswick Hills Police Department always has someone on duty and the parking lot and lobby is open 24 hours a day, every day and is under video surveillance for added protection, Sopkovich said.
“If the other person does not want to meet at the police department, or another public place, there is a good possibility that something isn’t right and you should probably avoid completing the transaction,” he said.
For those who are unable to meet at the police department and choose another location to complete internet transactions, Sopkovich reminds the community to help protect themselves by remembering the following tips when meeting someone for the first time:
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers into your home.
• Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe, bank or shopping center.
• Be especially careful buying and selling high value items.
• Take your cell phone with you.
• Tell a friend or family member where you are going.
• Consider having someone with you.
• Trust your instincts.