Selling Items Online? Brookline Has a Safe Transaction Zone

BROOKLINE, MA – As the market for making deals on Craigslist and similar forums increases, so does the necessity to protect yourself when exchanging goods with a stranger.

Several police departments in Massachusetts are offering citizens safe transaction zones to complete the exchanges within police property.

The Brookline Police Department permits online transactions in the lobby of police headquarters at 350 Washington St.

The goal of the safe transaction zones is to provide consumers and sellers a level of comfort knowing they can make their transactions in a public place.

According to the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, residents area asked to keep a few important details to keep in mind.

• Transaction zones apply to legal transactions only.
• Best practice suggests making transactions during daylight hours. While nighttime hours are not prohibited and most departments do not have specific hours they permit transactions to occur, meeting a stranger during daylight hours is wisest.
• Interaction from police officers varies for each department. Locations are typically under 24/7 video surveillance and some department’s request you call ahead so they know what is occurring, however, many do not. Moreover, most departments have little to no oversight of the transaction: police do not supervise the transaction, confirm identities, or check the items to ensure authenticity or that they are not stolen.
• Be wary of people unwilling to conduct business at the police station.
• Always use caution. Making a transaction on police property does not guarantee your safety. Trust your instincts. If something feels uncomfortable, notify the police.

Here's a list of communities across the state which offer safe transaction zones.If your town is not listed, it does not necessarily mean exchanges on police property are prohibited.

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