SALISBURY TWP., Pa. – Salisbury Township Police Sergeant Bryan Losagio said there are 250,000 robberies in the U.S. each year. The department is looking to lower that number.
“We know that’s an issue and we take that with the information we have and millions of online transactions a year and we’ve come up with an idea that other departments have used,” said Sergeant Losagio.
Salisbury Township Police have created a safe exchange zone in its parking lot. This comes after an Instagram sale went wrong on Jeter Avenue in June. Police said a boy was assaulted and his mother was robbed.
“So that motivated us a little more to come up with ideas on what we can do to keep our community safe, and the safe exchange zone is something that will definitely help us out,” said Sergeant Losagio.
He said the new zone is monitored by cameras 24/7.
“There’s officers that come in and out of the parking lot all the time, so if there is an issue we’re able to help them out and more than likely deter a crime from even happening,” said Sergeant Losagio.
He said to never bring a large amount of money to one of these transactions and to never go to a secluded place to make an online transaction.
He said there is another thing to keep in mind when making one of these transactions.
“You have to use your gut. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is too good,” said Sergeant Losagio.
Sergeant Losagio said police are still actively investigating the assault and robbery on Jeter Avenue. He said anybody is welcome to use this safe exchange zone.