Need To Safely Complete Craigslist Deal? Meet At Chelmsford PD
BOSTON (CBS) -- Police in Chelmsford are hoping to make it safer for residents to complete online transactions in person.
Websites like Craigslist and Facebook have become popular resources for people looking to buy items online. But meeting a stranger to pick up the purchase can be risky business – police in Lowell warned late last year that Facebook sales were leading to armed robberies.
The new "SafeSale Program" is offering the lobby of the Chelmsford police station as a place where people can safely meet to finish a local online deal.
"The popular practice of purchasing goods online and completing transactions in person can create an uncomfortable and even dangerous environment." Chief James Spinney said. "We hope that residents will take advantage of this new program to help keep themselves safe."
The lobby is staffed 24 hours a day every day, with surveillance cameras that record everything. Police said that the Olde North Road station is a public building where residents are always welcome.
"Our duty as police officers is to keep the public safe," Spinney said.
Though they're promising a secure meeting place, Spinney added that they can't guarantee the quality of the items purchased.
