Police stations in Midland and Orangeville are now safe exchange spots for people connecting on Kijiji or Craigslist.
Police say professional thieves will use online ads to get access to homes and personal information. Meeting in a public place prevents a stranger from knowing where you live – meeting at the police station means everything's on-camera and officers are nearby.
“We're trying to provide peace of mind to members of our community that they can complete these transactions in a safe environment,” says Const. Scott Davis of the Orangeville Police Service.
There have been tragic endings to online classifieds. In 2013, Tim Bosma, who was from the Hamilton area, was trying to sell his truck through Kijiji. Bosma's body was found a week after he took the truck for a drive with two men he didn't know.
The case made some people nervous about buying and selling online.
“I have two little ones, so my first thought is, is this going to be safe? I need to make sure that I keep them safe, me safe and everybody safe,” says Kijiji user Samantha Dubeau.
Ivonne Blum used the Kijiji app to find a babysitter..
“It's a little bit nerve-wracking looking, and making sure you find someone that's trustworthy to come to your home and meet your kid,” says Blum.
The process made her uncomfortable; she says her next Kijiji deal will be done at the local police station.
Officers say over the years, people have used this detachment to make a safe exchange. The station just wants everyone to know, it's an option.
