Selling Items Online? You Can Do So in a Safe Transaction Zone in Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY, MA — Many residents use craigslist or other online sales platforms to get rid of old stuff or purchase different items at discounted rates. In many cases, the buyer and seller are unknown to each other which can present a possibly dangerous situation.

Many police departments across the Commonwealth allow their residents to conduct online transactions on police property. The Tewksbury Police Department permits online transactions to be conducted in the TPD visitor parking lot located at 918 Main Street.

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.