Meridian Police offer parking lot for Craigslist, online purchases

MERIDIAN, Idaho - The Meridian Police Department has announced that they are offering their parking lot as a location to complete online transactions. You don't have to check in with the police department to use the parking lot, but if you're buying or selling guns, they advise you to check in with them.
The Meridian Police Department invites people who are meeting prospective buyers and sellers to arrange to meet in the front parking lot of the police department at 1401 E. Watertower Avenue for the exchange during normal hours.
“We advise those taking part in internet transactions to avoid exchanging items at their home. This area in the front parking lot of our department is secure and we encourage the community to use it,” Chief Jeff Lavey of the Meridian place Department explained.
While the parking lot won’t always have an officer present the area, it is under surveillance 24 hours a day. Police say if anything goes wrong with the deal, their security cameras may pick up identification and license plates that could be used to identify people who commit crimes of deception.
They say legal gun transactions are allowed, but advise the public to check in with the supervisor beforehand so that the transaction is not misconstrued by anyone.
“Meridian is one of the safest communities in our state and our police department is always looking for ways to make it even safer. This location gives people in our community a protected place to exchange internet purchases,” said Mayor Tammy de Weerd.