Allentown police unveil safe zone for online sales

By Michelle Merlin of The Morning Call

Anyone hoping to carry out a Craiglist or other online transaction with a stranger can now meet outside the Allentown police station on Hamilton and 10th streets.

Allentown officials unveiled the safe exchange site Thursday morning. Two 15-minute parking spaces have been designated for transactions and offer what authorities said is a safer option than meeting in a vacant parking lot or a public park after dark.

"It gives folks an extra layer of security," said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. "A place they can have a safe place to do their sales and do their transactions without being worried that wherever they're doing that transaction something may occur."
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There are cameras all around the street and police staff the station 24/7, offering a deterrent for potential criminals.

​Read more here.

​SHARON K. MERKEL / SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and police Chief Keith Morris unveiled the city's first Safe Sale Zone for people who buy items off online sellers like Craigslist at a news conference on Wednesday at the Allentown Police Patrol Station in Allentown.