Police offer safer sites for internet exchanges

The village of Minooka recently installed signage in front of the police station identifying it as an internet exchange location.

These safer locations for picking up or dropping off goods found on the internet – from say eBay, LetGo or Craigslist – are popping up all over the place.

There are even websites dedicated to finding safe IXPs or Internet Exchange Points. Although police departments must contact the sites with their designated location if they want to be listed on the map, so not all are.

Channahon put up signage about five years ago, encouraged by their public safety trustee, Chantal Host, said Deputy Police Chief Adam Bogart.

“It’s been a big success so far,” Bogart said. “It provides for a more agreeable and safe location and we are glad to be able to provide the service.”

Since the exchange locations at police stations are monitored with surveillance cameras and are well lit, people can feel more comfortable meeting up with a stranger than say picking up an item at someone’s home.

Ordinance Enforcement Officer Jeff Reeder of the Morris Police Department said that occasionally someone will call ahead to let them know they are meeting up at the Morris department’s location off Benton Street.

Not too long ago they had a call that someone was coming with a piano outside the Morris Police Department, Reeder said.

Plainfield police Administrative Commander Kevin Greco said they put up their signage about a year ago and see people using it.

“We don’t get involved in property exchanges, but you don’t have to meet in someone’s house,” Greco said.

While all the sites listed here are monitored 24/7 with surveillance cameras, there may not be an officer watching the video at all times, so caution is still important. But the tapes can be pulled for review anytime.

“It might deter somebody [with ulterior motives] when it’s at our back door,” Reeder said.

You can contact your local police department or check their website to see if they offer a monitored location.

Minooka Police Chief Justin Meyer wanted the village to have an exchange location for the same reasons.

There are dozens and dozens of internet sites for selling just about anything and some people have had the bad fortune of being robbed instead of buying or selling an item.

“The program has been out there for several years and we thought it would be another good service for our residents, due to thefts and fraud,” Meyer said.

Minooka hadn’t had any specific complaints, Meyer said, but they wanted to be proactive.

“We want the opportunity for citizens to feel safe when they exchange with strangers,” he said.