The Methuen Police Department now offers a meetup spot in its parking lot for residents seeking to complete transactions with individuals they’ve met online. (Courtesy Photo Methuen Police Department) 
Mayor Neil Perry at the meetup spot outside the Methuen Police Department. (Courtesy Photo City of Methuen)
METHUEN— Mayor Neil Perry and Police Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce that the Methuen Police Department has implemented a new program that gives community members a safe and secure meeting spot to complete online transactions.
Methuen residents completing transactions initiated online can go to the police station, located at 90 Hampshire St., to meet a buyer or seller. Transactions can be completed at the designated Internet Purchase Exchange Location in the station’s parking lot.
By using the police station as a meet up location between a buyer and seller, residents do not have to share their address with a stranger or meet a stranger at their home. While Methuen Police cannot guarantee the quality or authenticity of items residents purchase online, the online transaction safe zone provides residents with a secure, monitored public place to complete a sale.
“We’re happy to be able to provide this service to our residents to ensure they have a safe way to buy and sell items with people they meet on various online marketplaces,” Chief Solomon said.
The Internet Purchase Exchange Location is under constant video surveillance.
“This is a great way for residents to have peace of mind when meeting strangers to buy or sell items online,” Mayor Neil Perry said. “I hope residents take advantage of this opportunity to ensure their transactions are as secure as possible.”
Methuen Police would also like to remind residents to be especially cautious when buying or selling valuable items, that it is a good idea to take a friend or family member with you to a meet-up and that it is safest to conduct transactions during daylight hours.
Residents who meet individuals in person after arranging transactions online are reminded to wear masks and practice social distancing to the fullest extent possible amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
###