Georgetown police issue safety reminders for online sales meetups

Officers encourage use of ‘Green Zone’ to prevent thefts during meetups

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Georgetown Police Department is reminding people to stay safe when buying and selling items through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace.

Police say it’s important to stay informed and cautious when arranging to meet someone for a transaction. It comes as officials say some recent meetings have gone wrong.

“We’ve had a few instances where people have went to trade their phones or laptops or whatever, and had them stolen, taken from them, theft. Do believe it could possibly be some juveniles at this time, school is out, that’s a more heightened thing, so be cognizant of those things as well,” said Lt. Mitchell Lair with the Georgetown Police Department.

Lair said none of the recent incidents have been violent, but police offered safety tips for making sure transactions go smoothly.

Officials recommend knowing the full name and phone number of the person you are meeting, letting a friend or family member know about the meeting, and choosing a well-lit public space with surveillance.

Georgetown police say they offer a designated meeting space called the “Green Zone.”

“It’s right outside in our parking lot, it’s video recorded, it’s under surveillance at all times. People use it daily all day for different reasons,” Lair said.

Before meeting up, officials say there are also some warning signs to watch for when dealing with strangers online.

“Look at their username, is it something that’s made up, or is it someone that you know, is it someone that knows other people that you know. Instead of just some random person that somehow got to you,” said Lair. “Or if they’re reaching out to you and you haven’t even tried to sell anything, that’s a bit of an issue too,” Lair added.

Police say trusting your instincts is critical. If you ever feel unsafe, you should leave the situation immediately and call 911.