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Authorities Establish Safe Exchange Spaces For Long Island Craigslist Users

YAPHANK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police on Long Island are trying to stop criminals who prey on the unsuspecting.

That's why the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department is establishing safe zones for anyone trying to buy or sell something from online.

As Suffolk County Deputies head off to patrol they do it knowing the parking lot outside the sheriff's office in Yaphank is now set up as a safe zone. It's designated for the public to complete personal online transactions of household gods, jewelry, or vehicles.

"People who initiate these kinds of transactions online, they can come here to the sheriff's office to one of the zones and they can conclude the transaction in front of armed sheriff's deputies and cameras.

As TV 10/55's Long Island Bureau Chief Richard Rose reported, parking lot cameras see everything with armed guards stationed inside the security booth. That's comforting to Medford resident Lee Akner.

"You see in the news where they can take off with your car or hurt the person, or whatever, so I guess that would be a good idea," she said.

Albert Marshall of Wyandanch said it's a great way to take the anxiety out of dealing with a complete stranger.

"You don't know who you're talking to when you do deals like that, and you can't see who you're dealing with," he said.

Deputies said think twice if the other party isn't willing to meet in the safe zone.

"Consider yourself lucky, and absolutely do not get yourself further involved with that person," Sgt. Thomas Evans, Suffolk County Sheriff's Office explained.

Whether or not you use the new safe zones, the sheriff's office suggested that you follow basic safety tips; bring someone along if you can, tell a family member who you are meeting and where, conduct the transaction in daylight hours in a public place, and use only cash or money orders to complete the deal.

If you do use the safe zone you don't have to contact the sheriff's office to let them know you are coming, and the deputies will not get involved unless they see that something is wrong.

The Suffolk Sheriff's Department also set up a second safe zone outside of its Riverhead offices.

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