Swap Shop ‘safe zones’ worth considering

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Swap Shop ‘safe zones’ worth considering

We’ve all heard the horror stories about thugs, drug addicts and robbers lurking in online classified ads, particularly the popular Craigslist website where innocent sellers fall victim to horrendous crimes, including murder.

Even when precautions are taken by buyers to meet their unknown sellers in locations of high visibility and places assumed to be safe to make the transaction bad things still happen, and it seems to happen more often.

While we are usually critical of most litigation unfairly targeting legitimate businesses this is one instance where online websites should be held accountable if innocent people who use the services offered lead them to become victims of prey, regardless of the precautions that are taken. We have found some of these websites to be breeding grounds for the criminal element in our society, a situation that has frustrated law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

We read, with great interest, a story the other day where the Little Rock Police Department is cleverly addressing the problem by creating what they call a safe-exchange zone at the police station whereby online buyers can meet their prospective sellers while their transactions are being recorded.

At least two police departments in Arkansas recently installed safe-exchange zones that feature a few parking spaces, signs and surveillance cameras. The Batesville Police Department created a safe zone in mid-February, and the Springdale Police Department built its zone Feb. 29.

We’re told in coming months, several of the state’s larger-city police departments plan to do the same. The Little Rock and North Little Rock departments expect to post signs and designate parking in several of their respective precincts. And, we have learned, the Jonesboro Police Department hopes to have a zone in place by May 1.

According to the story, many police departments around the state don’t have designated exchange zones, but they invite people to their headquarters to safely pick up or drop off items brought or sold online. And, we’re told, people in Springdale and Batesville are saying about their new exchange zones.

When Batesville police posted a photo of the city’s safe-zone’s sign on Facebook, users shared it ore than 5,000 times, and it received more than 10,000 likes.

That is because people fear the worst when making a transaction online, particular when it involves Craigslist.

Craigslist is a website that features local classified ads in most medium-to-large cities. More than 60 million people use Craigslist each month in the U.S., according to the company’s website.

One of the most publicized cases in Arkansas happened in February 2015 outside a secluded warehouse in south Little Rock. Frank Steinsiek, a 56-year-old appliance technician from Sherwood, was found shot to death at a warehouse. An investigation revealed that Jeramye Morgan Hobbs, 24, of Little Rock lured Steinsiek there posing as a buyer for a motorcycle Steinsiek had listed for sale on Craigslist, according to the Little Rock Police Department.

In West Memphis and Marion, users of online sites, such as Craigslist, are commonly seen using the parking lot of Walgreens on Missouri Street. That area is well lit and most often full with customers.

This safe-zone concept might just be something that West Memphis Police Chief Donald Oakes might want to consider putting into place. It would certainly be an excellent public relations concept that we’re sure would receive scores of positive comments.

BIBLE VERSE

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

3:7-8

Proverbs