For anyone who uses Craigslist and other classified sites, there is now a secure, public location to complete the transaction.
The Tooele City Police Department will now allow people exchanging goods to use its parking lot or lobby area to meet with the stranger and complete the transaction. The same locations can also be used in custody exchanges for parents with joint custody of their children.
The police department is offering the service in collaboration with SafeTrade, a program designed to establish safe exchange zones at law enforcement agencies around the country. According to the SafeTrade website, Tooele City is the first agency in the state to be certified with the program.
While Tooele City police have authorized the parking lot and lobby for exchanges, no police personnel are involved in facilitating or observing the transaction unless requested, according to Tooele City Police Officer Tanya Turnbow. The parking lot is under watch by security cameras, however, and officers at the station are nearby.
“We do have surveillance footage,” she said.
Turnbow said the department recommends people use the police lot for classified exchanges rather than do it at their home to prevent a negative encounter. She cited a recent case in Utah, where a potential buyer took a motorcycle for a test ride and never came back.
“We’re offering for the public to use our parking lot for trades and exchanges,” Turnbow said.
The only caveat to the exchanges is the police department recommends only conducting a trade in the parking lot during daylight hours, for the safety of the parties involved, according to Turnbow. Even during evening hours, the parking lot can be used, especially in the case of custody exchanges that may happen after parents have gotten out of work for the day.