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With the growing number of social media and e-commerce websites available, South Pasadena Crime Prevention Officer Richard Lee says residents, more than ever, are selling and purchasing items online.
Lee says criminals have posed as potential buyers and robbed the seller.
To help prevent a crime, Lee says people can now use the local police department to meet people for exchanging money for goods.
“To help you conduct your face-to-face transactions safely, the lobby of the police department has been designated a Safe Deal Zone,” explained Lee.
He warns individuals to never meet or make transactions in nonpublic places.
Lee said the police station lobby offers 24-hour video surveillance, a well-lit courtyard and ample street parking, with access to an emergency phone in the lobby that connects directly to the police dispatch center.
He stressed the station provides both people involved in the transaction a measure of safety and the protection of law enforcement.
