Yarmouth Police Lot to Serve as Safe Zone for Craigslist Transactions

Yarmouth PoliceYARMOUTH – With more and more people buying and selling goods over social media websites—and based on a suggestion from town of Yarmouth Board of Selectmen Chairman Erik Tolley combined with research and input from police—the Yarmouth Police Department will now be offering its front public parking area to allow people to make the transactions in a safer environment.

Yarmouth Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Steven G. Xiarhos said, “Fortunately the vast majority of sales are done safely with no problems, but criminals can also be searching on-line sites for easy targets which have led to thefts, violent crimes, and even murders in other areas of the United States.”

Xiarhos said there have not been any reports of violence during a Craigslist type of sale reported in Yarmouth, but he wants to prevent any danger of such an act in the future.

“Our residents’ safety is our top priority and our parking lot, which has video surveillance, is available to conduct transactions,” he said.

Xiarhos offered a number of suggestions to those seeking to buy or sell items on Craigslist. “The preferred times to engage in transactions is in the daylight hours and we recommend that buyers or sellers should reconsider conducting business with anyone who refuses to meet at police headquarters,” he said.

He added, “There are no guarantees when using Craigslist or any other social media on-line type of marketplace site. What may seem like a legitimate posting could be a means to lure someone into danger.”

He offered the following safety suggestions.

1.            Arrange to meet at a well-known public place such as the Yarmouth Police Department.

2.            Bring someone with you and don’t go by yourself.

3.            Trust your instincts.

4.            Meet in a public place rather than a secluded area.

5.            Never meet with a stranger at your home or theirs.

6.            Take particular caution if you’re buying or selling something that’s highly valuable.

7.            Conduct the transaction during the day.

8.            Something is normally too good to be true if it seems like it is.

9.            Let your family or a friend know about your plans.

10.          Bring your cell phone with you.



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