Police, Councilwoman Join To Create Online Sales Safe Space

(Information from: The Advertiser, http://www.theadvertiser.com)

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Lafayette police and a city councilwoman are teaming up to create a safe space where people can exchange items purchased online.

The Advertiser reports police and councilwoman Liz Webb-Hebert said during a meeting Wednesday that they've joined forces to create a monitored area in the police department's parking lot where residents can conduct exchanges.

If established, interim police chief Reginald Thomas says cameras would be set up to record the license plate of the vehicles involved in the trade as well as the entire transaction.

Thomas says the space could help catch criminals using websites like Craigslist and Facebook to set up false purchases and then rob the people.

Webb-Hebert says she'd like to see other cities pick up on the idea and open up their own similar spaces.

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