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Bloomingdale officials launched an Internet transaction safety zone in the borough hall parking lot, near the police station.
The area has surveillance cameras to help people feel safe while meeting a stranger to complete a transaction made online. Police Chief Joe Borell worked with Mayor Jonathan Dunleavy and Councilwoman Dawn Hudson about starting the safe zone.
"I truly think that it will just help people feel more comfortable making the transactions here at a neural location," Borell told Daily Voice. "You just never know when you do something through the Internet who you're dealing with."
The borough will soon add signs to the parking lot denoting it as the transaction zone, Borrell said.
The idea started with the mayor and council as they saw similar plans in other areas grow in popularity, the police chief said.
Police can monitor the transactions through cameras but Borell said they won't be more actively involved unless it becomes necessary.
Borell recommended people use the safety zone during the day, though it is lighted. He also said residents should bring their cellphone and let someone know where they are.
"You can never be too safe," the chief said. "... It's great that the town is able to do this because it serves the best interest of so many people who do more Internet shopping."
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