At the Riverhead office of Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr., a "safe transaction zone" has been set up for people who are buying or selling goods from online marketplaces and need a well-lit, secure place to pick up or drop off those items.
The goal is "to help protect citizens from theft and assault often associated with online transactions," Sheriff Toulon said in a press release on Tuesday. The address is 100 Center Drive in Riverhead. Another such safe zone is the county facility in Yaphank at 202 Glover Drive.
The safe transaction zones are "clearly marked with red and white signs and are in full view of on-duty deputy sheriffs," he said. However, those deputies will not take part in or witness transactions for buyers and sellers. Daytime usage of these areas is encouraged; appointments are not required.
Sheriff Toulon also encouraged people to take a friend or relative along for safety reasons, or at the very least, inform another person about the details of the transaction ahead of time. Among his other tips: "do not go into someone else’s house, and do not allow them into yours," and "be extra cautious when buying or selling valuable items such as vehicles and jewelry."
"Trust your instincts. If it sounds like a scam, it probably is," Sheriff Toulon advised. "If someone is not willing to come to the sheriff’s office to do a transaction, it is probably not a legitimate transaction."