Police: Use Our Lot, Lobby as a 'Holiday Safe Sale Zone'

The Portsmouth Police Department has issued an alert suggesting that buyers and sellers of goods online use its parking lot or lobby as a “Holiday Safe Sale Zone” when meeting with people for online sales.

Many people selling goods and services online, using Craigslist.org, as an example, often have valuables and/or cash on-hand, which can create a dangerous atmosphere when meeting with a stranger for the exchange. To this end, police are suggesting using the department’s assets as a safe area. 

“The nature of these transactions is somewhat risky in that you are advertising that you will have valuables or cash on your person and that you are willing to meet a stranger with said valuables,” said Corey F. MacDonald, the deputy chief of police in Portsmouth. “The Department encourages residents who are selling or buying valuables on Internet sites to consider using the Portsmouth Police Department’s parking lot or lobby to meet in order to make these exchanges.”

Police, however, won’t be involved in disputes and will not monitor transactions, according to MacDonald. Use of the parking lot or lobby also isn’t “a guarantee against fraud or robbery, it likely lowers your chances of being a victim,” he noted.

MacDonald added that while police are making the announcement during the holiday season, it is encouraged to use the lot or lobby year round for such exchanges.