Oakland’s “Safe Exchange Zones” for Buying/Selling Online Goods
By Victoria Hsieh, Bay City News Foundation
The Oakland Police Department offers its community members two Safe Exchange Zones during the holiday season in front of the department at 455 7th St. The zones are intended to be an alternative to meeting in an unfamiliar location for buying and selling online purchases.
Officials encourage residents to use the zone during daylight hours, although the area is under 24-hour surveillance.
The OUPD recommends the following safety tips:
- Do not complete a transaction while alone
- Make someone aware that you will be conducting a transaction
- Insist on meeting in a public place, such as a designated “safe zone”
- Do not enter the home or vehicle of a stranger
- Do not invite a stranger into your home, vehicle, or residence hall room
- Complete the transaction during daytime hour
- Use only cash or money orders to conduct business
- Trust your instinct – If something sounds like a scam, it probably is
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If you are planning to buy or sell items online from a stranger, we suggest making the transfer in a public space. As a reminder we have a Safe Exchange Zone in front of the Police Department. It is a convenient alternative to meeting people in unfamiliar places. pic.twitter.com/5UDb7E6kaq
— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) May 21, 2020
