Two new “Safe Trade” parking zones have been added at the Greenbank and Leitrim stations of the Ottawa Police Service, it was announced Tuesday.
The new sites at 245 Greenbank Rd. and 4561 Bank St. are additions to the original locations launched in September 2023: 466 Metcalfe St. in Centretown (behind police headquarters on Elgin Street); 211 Huntmar Dr. in Kanata; and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard in Orléans.
The goal of the program is to enhance personal safety for people who are completing trades arranged through online marketplaces, classified websites or other personal sales by moving these transactions away from isolated parking lots or private residences and into safer, public spaces.
While the Greenbank and Leitrim police stations are closed to the public, their Safe Trade Zones will remain under video surveillance. However, like all OPS Safe Trade locations, they are not monitored 24/7, Ottawa police said.
An Ottawa police media release announcing the new Safe Trade locations also included safety tips for those arranging meetings with strangers to complete online transactions:
- Avoid inviting strangers to your home to complete transactions.
- Bring a friend and choose a well-lit public place with video surveillance.
- Meet during daylight hours. Last-minute changes to the meeting location should be treated as red flags.
- Walk away from the exchange if you’re asked to go to a second, unfamiliar location.
- Avoid meeting in vacant parking lots or secluded areas.
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