By Anthony W. Ciriello
Chief of Police, Syracuse Police Department

In response to what appears to be an ever-increasing, or at least sustained threat to those meeting with total strangers to take part in transactions of items that have been advertised over the Internet, in classified ads and by other means, Syracuse Police Department announces “Safe Place Exchange.”

Recognizing throughout the United States, to include Indiana, customers looking to purchase items have been lured to locations, normally carrying large sums of money, then fall victim to robberies and, at times, very violent assaults.

Safe Place Exchange is yet another attempt by our police department to ensure the safety of our community and to provide assistance in those types of situations or transactions.

We are inviting the public to use our parking lot as well as the lobby of our police department to meet those advertising items for sale and, in doing so, offering a safe environment to deal with strangers and lessen the likelihood of being robbed or assaulted. Certainly, utilizing the police department as a venue to transact such business should lessen the likelihood of a crime taking place.

Every effort will be made to have an officer present for that meeting between the buyer and the seller. The public may also choose to simply use the department’s parking lot or interior lobby at 310 N. Huntington St., Syracuse, to carry out those dealings without an officer present, if they so desire.

The parking lot and the lobby are well lit and offer extensive video tape coverage. To arrange for an officer to stand by, call (574) 457-3366 prior to the meeting.