A neutral zone at police station to secure exchanges

The neutral zone situated in the parking lot of the Chateauguay police station located at 55 Maple Blvd. is now available to people from the area who wish to complete a transaction done on line in secure fashion. The layout includes two vehicle spaces, available 24 hours a day, every day. A high-definition camera can clearly capture the licence plates and the faces of the individuals outside the cars parked in the zone. ‘’No police officer is directly observing the exchanges, because the tapings will be kept for a few weeks after the conclusion of the transaction,’’ explains the City of Chateauguay police service via a communiqué.The use of the site is free. No authorization is necessary. Residents of Mercier, Beauharnois, St. Isidore and Lery can use it. This initiative is inspired by British Columbia. In Quebec, Chateauguay is the fourth police force to implement this service following in the footsteps of Bromont, Sherbrooke and Terrebonne. Examples of uses - A salesperson and a purchaser having concluded a transaction on an on-line sale site (Kijiji, Marketplace, etc.) can give themselves a rendez-vous to effect the exchange; -Parents who are separated can exchange custody of their children. (Source: City of Chateauguay Police Service) Some safety advice - Never convey personal information; - Take the screen images of the advertising, information from the salesperson and all the communications between the parties; - Check the name of the salesperson/purchaser on an on-line search motor (Google, Bing, etc.); - Bring only the sum of money necessary to make the transaction; - Do not transfer any money to the salesperson before having possession of the goods; - Take note of the number of the other vehicle’s licence number; - If you have a doubt or if you are not at ease during the transaction, trust your instinct. (Source: City of Chateauguay Police Service)