By Mary Owen
The Stayton Police Department has launched a Safe Exchange zone.
Safe Exchange is designed to provide a safe location for families to make custodial exchanges and assist residents with the exchange of products purchased or sold online.
“Recently, I saw an article that the Lebanon Police Department was going to try it and offer it to their citizens,” Stayton Police Chief Rich Sebens said. “I thought it looked like a really good idea, and I thought it would be something that would be useful here as well.”
Sebens said the service is part of the Stayton Police Department’s community-to-community safety.
“It will create a safe place where citizens can exchange property or children in a well-lit, videoed location,” Sebens said.
Once both parties have agreed on exchange terms, they may meet in the front lobby of the police department, which is open 24/7. There is video surveillance in the lobby.
While the Safe Exchange zone offers a safe area for online buyers and sellers to meet, the SPD wants to remind users that people met online are strangers who may not have their best interests in mind. There is also the possibility that items being purchased may be stolen. Additionally, the zone may not be used to make transactions of illegal products or dangerous materials.
Ask almost any friend who has tried to purchase an item or sell an item using Internet sites, and you will hear a story about how the buyer didn’t show or there were concerns about the buyer.
The SPD encourages residents to consider the following before meeting a stranger to purchase or sell an item:
Never provide personal information over the Internet.
Accept only cash or money orders whenever possible.
Use only photos of the items you are selling. Other items in the background can represent additional targets for a would-be criminal.
Ask a lot of questions.
Do not make a transaction alone.
Remember, buyer beware.
“We want people to realize that even though this may be a safer place to meet, there are still risks involved,” Sebens said. “It truly is ‘buyer beware.’ We cannot guarantee someone’s safety during exchanges, but we hope this will help.”
If an officer is needed for an emergency while making exchanges, the red phone in the lobby will directly connect people to the 911 operator.
While no incidents have taken place in the Safe Exchange zone to date, Sebens said the department has had reports of thefts based on bad sales.
“We more often will be called to child custody exchanges in the community where they have become violent or verbally abusive,” he said. “Our hope is that by doing the exchanges in the police department, both parties will feel more comfortable with making the exchange.”
Community response for the program has been “very good,” Sebens said.
“We have had several positive social media responses to it as well as individuals who have told us in person that they were very glad to have this as an option,” he said.
For more information, call the Stayton Police Department at 503-769-3421 or visit www.staytonoregon.gov.
