Internet Trading: Bloomfield Police Announce 'Swap In Safety' Program

Starting on Monday, Oct. 12, Craigslist traders will have somewhere safe to conduct their deals…. the Bloomfield Police Department Headquarters.

That’s when the BPD will kick off its new “Swap In Safety” program, intended to create a safe environment for local Internet traders to buy and sell goods.

• See related article: Buying or Selling on Craigslist? Ways to Buy and Sell Safely

“In an effort to promote safer transactions between strangers, we are encouraging residents to use their local police department as a meeting place for in-person transactions to occur,” the BPD stated in a release.

The Swap In Safety program will take place at the BPD Headquarters main lobby, 1 Municipal Plaza on:

• Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Holidays excluded

According to the BPD:

• Police cannot act as witnesses to the transaction, give legal advice or settle disputes related to transactions
• The BPD has no affiliation with any Internet-based marketplace and will not be responsible for any online transactions
• Weapons, drug and drug paraphernalia transactions are not allowed

RECENT CRAIGSLIST INCIDENTS IN ESSEX COUNTY

• Police Arrest Craigslist Stabbing Suspect
• Nutley Man Robbed of Laptops in Craigslist Deal Gone Bad
• In Verona: Man With Syringe, Fall Injury On Fairview Avenue, Craigslist Scam, Damaged Street Signs, Business Dispute, DWI
• In Nutley: Bra Thief / Pelted With Eggs / Craigslist Fraud / Nutley Museum Vandalism / Credit Card Fraud