GALLATIN, Tenn. – As it becomes more common to buy and sell goods through online websites, like Craigslist, one Sumner County police department is making sure residents have a safe place to complete the transaction.
The Gallatin Police Department is the first in Middle Tennessee to set up a so-called, "Transaction Safe Place."
It is located in the parking lot between the Gallatin Farmers Market and the police department on West Franklin Street. People can use the space to meet potential buyers or sellers to complete transactions that were started through websites, like Craigslist or other social media sites.
Police said the area is highly traveled, visible and monitored by security cameras around the clock.
“I hope this is a good proactive step we can take to encourage people to conduct safe transactions,” said Officer Bill Storment, with the Gallatin Police Department.
Storment said there are risks that are associated with completing these transactions, and he hopes by having a designated place residents can use, they will feel safer, and possible problems will be prevented.
“We want people to conclude these transactions in a safe way so they aren’t a victim of a crime,” added Storment.
Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown applauded the new addition to the city. She said it is the latest way the police department has been proactively working to keep the city safe.
“Our crime numbers are down significantly,” said Brown. “A lot of that is due to the police department identifying where there is risk and mitigating that.”
Police said due to limited area parking, transactions times are limited to 5 p.m. to 7 a.m Monday through Friday. Transactions can occur all day Saturday and Sunday. No weapons will be allowed in the parking lot during transactions.
