Selling Items Online? The Chelmsford PD Introduces SafeSale Program for Local Online Transactions

The Chelmsford Police Department has created a SafeSale Program, designed to ensure a safe and secure meeting place for residents to meet strangers and complete online transactions, Police Chief James Spinney announced Monday morning.

While the Chelmsford Police Department cannot guarantee the quality of items purchased online, the Department is offering a safe, secure, public meeting place to conduct the transaction.

Under the SafeSale Program, Chelmsford residents and business owners who wish to complete an online transaction -- like a Craigslist purchase -- in person, can arrange to meet the other person in the lobby of the Chelmsford Police Department.

“Our duty as police officers is to keep the public safe. The popular practice of purchasing goods online and completing transactions in person can create an uncomfortable and even dangerous environment” Chief Spinney said. “We hope that residents will take advantage of this new program to help keep themselves safe.”

The lobby inside of the Chelmsford Police Station is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is equipped with surveillance cameras that constantly record activity in the station. This added security provides a level of protection that most public meeting places cannot.

“First and foremost, the Police Station is a public building, and our residents are always welcome,” Chief Spinney said.