Twin Lakes unveiled sign in the middle of June
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Since the Twin Lakes Police Department unveiled a new Internet Purchase Exchange Location sign in the middle of June, officials have received positive reviews, according to Police Chief Adam Grosz.
“We have had several citizens use the police department parking lot to exchange items and have received very positive feedback on social media in regards to the sign.”
The sign in the department parking lot was developed after Grosz had dialogue with counterparts from other agencies.
“I got the idea after hearing about other police departments who have started advertising exchange locations,” he said. “With the increase in the number of people buying and selling items online, we wanted to offer everyone a safe place to exchange products.”
Citing high expenses associated with product exchanges via online auction websites, which could range from a used car to furniture, Grosz said it is imperative for consumers to have a safe place to complete transactions.
A safe place includes a well-lit, public area with video surveillance – all attributes the police department has.
“Often times people are meeting strangers with large quantities of money or valuable merchandise that they are attempting to sell,” he said. “While most of these exchanges are completed with no problems, there have been cases in Wisconsin and across the nation where people have been robbed, assaulted, and even killed.”
Additionally, the Internet Exchange Location raises awareness of the issue, encouraging people to find safe places to make these transactions.
“Even if you don’t want to come to the police department, we encourage everyone to choose a well lit, public location, preferably a place that is video recorded, to exchange Internet purchases,” Grosz said.
The police department parking lot comes with other benefits that extend beyond safe Internet transactions.
“We encourage the use of our police department for not only online purchases but for any event where you are meeting someone you do not know or feel safe around,” he stated. “Many people use our facility to make child custody exchanges or do other business with people they do not know or trust.”
The police department lobby is open 24 hours a day with a dispatcher on duty that can contact a police officer if anyone needs help, he said.