OPP Create local zones to safely exchange online purchases
ORILLIA, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has provincially launched an online buy and sell exchange zone safety program at two detachments. One official launch took place at the OPP Bracebridge detachment and the other took place at the OPP Tecumseh detachment — the first to develop and implement the program within the OPP.
“The OPP is proud to be launching a community safety initiative aimed at decreasing offences related to online marketplace transactions. Collaborative approaches like Project Safe Trade can help to reduce harm and victimization in our communities,” says Inspector Robyn MacEachern, OPP Community Safety Services.
With online buy and sell sites on Facebook along with other sites, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. First chances are you are going to be meeting with a stranger. Protecting yourself is important.
The OPP state, “Online classified and auction sites are often used as tools to sell stolen property to unknowing victims and can present a safety threat. In order to increase public safety and reduce crime, the Ontario Provincial Police is inviting members of the public to use their OPP detachment parking lot to facilitate property transactions arranged online”.
Online transaction safety tips include:
- Meet in a busy public place.
- Bring a trusted friend or family member along as a witness.
- Keep transactions to daylight hours.
- Do not erase emails, texts or voicemails between yourself and the seller/buyer.
The purpose of Project Safe Trade is to create a community ‘safe zone’ at an OPP detachment parking lot or another safe location to complete online property transactions. Creating a community ‘safe zone’ is about moving the final transactions away from secluded parking lots, personal residences, or other areas and taking them to a public place.
The goal is to expand the project. In the meantime, a number of OPP detachments are inviting members of the public to use OPP detachment parking lots to facilitate transactions at or with designated parking spaces.
For more information visit www.OPP.ca and search Project Safe Trade.
Contact your local OPP detachment to find out if Project Safe Trade is in your area. If you are not in OPP jurisdiction, contact your local police service as many offer a similar program.
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Project Safe Trade – OPP.ca
