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.

By Michael Gannon, Editor

The NYPD’s 105th Precinct on Monday extended an offer to residents who might not be quite sure about conducting transactions with strangers they have contacted on Craigslist.

Speaking before a meeting of Community Board 13, Inspector Jeffrey Schiff said those seeking a neutral place to meet someone might want to consider 92-08 222 Street in Queens Village.
The address is that of Schiff’s station house.

“We had seven grand larcenies last week,” Schiff said. “Five of them were Craigslist.”

Read more here.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON
Uncertain about that Craigslist contact you’re going to meet? Inspector Jeffrey Schiff says meet him any time you like in front of the NYPD’s 105th Precinct.