GREENFIELD -- There's new effort to protect online shoppers and sellers.
Greenfield Police on Sunday unveiled a new effort to fight crooks on sites like Craigslist, which offer peer-to-peer shopping for everything from cars to couches, sports tickets to sports equipment.
The proposal is to set up a "safe zone" in the police department's parking lot for people to complete their transaction.
"It's a support for the people who are honestly using these websites and exchanges to be comfortable in what they're doing," Sgt. Peter Regenfelder tells TODAY'S TMJ4. "We just don't want to anyone to get hurt."
The vast majority of Craigslist sales are completed without any problem. An independent study, however, estimates at least 300 Craigslist-related crimes each year in the United States, including thefts and assaults.
In Greenfield, Sgt. Regenfelder says officers have received reports of stolen property and theft.
"[The police department] is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Sgt. Regenfelder adds. "We have good lighting here, and if anything goes wrong we're steps away from helping."
