SYRACUSE – In response to what appears to be an ever increasing, or at least a sustained, threat to those that meet with strangers to take part in transactions of items that have been advertised over the internet, the Syracuse Police Department is pleased to announce “Safe Place Exchange” according to a press release from the SPD. Recognizing that throughout the United States, to include Indiana, customers looking to purchase items have been lured to locations, normally carrying large sums of money and then fall victim to robberies and at times very violent assaults. Safe Place Exchange is another attempt by the police department to insure the safety of our community and to provide assistance in those types of situations/transactions, the release states. The public is invited to use the parking lot as well as the lobby of the police department to meet those advertising items for sale and in so doing, offering a safe environment to deal with strangers and lessen the likelihood of being robbed or assaulted. Certainly utilizing the police department as a venue to transact such business should lessen the likelihood of a crime taking place. Every effort will be made to have an officer present for that meeting between the buyer and the seller. The public may also choose to use the department’s parking lot or interior lobby, 310 N. Huntington St., to carry out those dealings without an officer present if they so desire. The parking lot and the lobby are well lit and offer extensive video tape coverage. To arrange for an officer to stand by, call 574-457-3366 prior to the meeting.
