“Safe Place” Transactions

and in some cases — it can be dangerous — especially when money is involved. 47 a-b-c’s lili zheng spoke to local law enforcement — about how they’re helping keep people safe when dealing with craigslist and other online trade sites. track 1 you spot that must have item on craiglist. and after a few emails — you agree to meet the seller. but after a recent tragedy in georgia — where an elderly couple was found murdered days after that kind of meeting — local law enforcement are implementing an idea for the eastern shore. 03:04:21 we wish we could take credit for this. we actually got the idea off of facebook posting that was on an oklahoma county’s site. i think it’s our job to bring programs to our community even though we didn’t think of them.” 31 03:21:46 the idea — close online deals in public such as the parking lot or office of the queen anne county sheriffs office. <53 track 3 sheriff gary hoffman says predators and scammers are less likely to prey on victims when they arrange to meet in public — especially when the meeting place is a sheriff’s office. 03:06:50 i think they know they’re going to be under surveillance. i think they also know that everyone has cameras but i think that it makes the transaction a lot safer because if it’s a legitimate transaction, why wouldn’t they come to a police department’s parking lot to go ahead and complete this? 03:07:03> track 4 there have not been any craigslist murders in queen anne’s county — but sheriff hofmann says there have been other crimes sparked by online advertisements. back in december 20-13 — a victim was assaulted after meeting up with somebody introduced through a craiglist’s personal ad. that crime is still under investigation — so very few details have been released. but to prevent future situations — he’s urging residents to take precaution. starting with where transactions take place. 03:11:47 so i think this will help us 1 identify possible suspects if something like that occurs but 2 it’ll actually keep the victims safer.” 54> track 5 lili zheng, 47 a-b-c. authorities say this program is not only for queen anne’s county residents. they’re asking anyone who schedules transactions at the sheriff’s office to contact the duty office at 410-758-0770 — prior to their arrival. motorists in maryland —