By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor The Warrenton Police Department has created a “safe zone” for people who want a public place to conduct face-to-face transactions. Police Chief Greg …
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Warrenton creates ‘safe zone’
Posted
By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe Warrenton Police Department has created a “safe zone” for people who want a public place to conduct face-to-face transactions.Police Chief Greg Houdyshell is encouraging local residents who use Craigslist or other online marketplace websites to utilize the area when meeting with strangers to sell or buy items.The “safe zone” is the area near the rear driveway of city hall and is marked with a painted yellow box on the pavement near where the police vehicles are parked.City hall is located at 200 W. Booneslick, west of the Warren County Courthouse.“All the negativity we have seen recently in the media with Craigslist transactions going bad, it doesn’t hurt to provide a safer location for people to conduct their transactions and in particular high-dollar transactions,” Houdyshell said. “We won’t man this 24 hours, (but) it is fairly well lit and under constant surveillance.”Numerous robberies have been reported and several meetings have turned fatal across the country in recent years. A Pennsylvania man last week was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting a man who was answering an ad for an ATV, according to news reports.Similar “safe zone” areas have been popping up at police departments and other public buildings.Craigslist is an online marketplace community that allows users to locate jobs, housing, or other products and services. More than 60 million users generate 50 billion page views every month, according to a release issued by Houdyshell.He noted that a small number of individuals prey on the Craigslist community and take advantage of users both financially and physically.Besides using the “safe zone” area, Houdyshell said residents should never conduct a transaction alone, share sensitive personal information, meet in a secluded area or invite strangers to their home.“Obviously it’s a better idea to not do it at night,” Houdyshell said. “Transactions during daylight hours seem to be a lot safer.”Anyone needing more information or have questions about online safety can contact the police department at 636-456-3535.
Residents conducting face-to-face online transactions are encouraged to use the “safe zone” area, located near the rear driveway of Warrenton City Hall and marked with a painted yellow box on the pavement. Submitted photo.
