BROOKINGS – Peace of mind and security: those are the reasons the Brookings Police Department established an internet exchange zone earlier this month.
Set in front of the police station on Third Avenue and under 24-hour camera surveillance, this parking zone is for anybody who has arranged online to purchase something or exchange with someone in person and is in need of a safe location to meet.
One sign has been placed, with the neighboring parking spots included in this exchange zone.
“There are a lot of scam artists and thefts and unsafe conditions when dealing with online purchases, dating and online things in general,” Acting Police Chief Dave Erickson said. “This is our way of providing the citizens of Brookings a place where they can feel safe and secure to come and do their business transactions that result from online purchases, like with Craigslist and things of that nature.”
He urged those who do utilize the Internet exchange zone to take their business to the sidewalk and not on the road-side of the car, “for obvious reasons.”
Not only is there security to be found in the continuous monitoring of the parking spot, there is a measure of safety to be found in meeting in front of a police station.
It’s important to note that the purpose of the zone is to exchange in person. It is not a place to drop off items to be picked up later.
“We’re not going to be a holding area for the merchandise exchange. We’re simply providing a safe place for people to do their transactions,” Erickson explained.
And if there are any disagreements that happen over the course of the transaction, the police are right there to lend any assistance needed.
Regardless of where you meet someone you’ve made arrangements with online, it’s important to meet in a public place where there are other people who could help and to bring a second person, whether it’s a spouse, friend or family member.
Regular motorists are still able to use the exchange zone parking spot in a pinch, although the police department’s parking lot on the west side of the building is still available during the station’s regular business hours.
After hours, parking out front is normally not a problem, Erickson added.
Internet exchange zones aren’t unique to Brookings. Sioux Falls, for example, set up an internet exchange zone of its own last year. Bringing this to Brookings was the idea of Patrol Officer Justina Diamond, who suggested this to the city Traffic Safety Committee.
Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.
