Full Notification

Craigslist, eBay, Facebook and many other websites are great tools for finding good deals, but can also be dangerous if not handled wisely. Besides the possibility of scams and fraudulent transactions, there are also isolated incidents of buyers and sellers of internet transactions that end up being victims of crimes like robbery, theft and assault when they meet in person to complete the transaction.

To help citizens complete these transactions safely, the Middleton Police Department highly recommends meeting in a highly visible, public place and is offering up its lobby as a "safe zone" for buyers and sellers of internet transactions to meet to complete their deals. People do not need to ask permission or make an appointment to use the lobby for this purpose. Weapons are NOT allowed in the police department.

The Middleton Police Department always has someone on duty in the building and the lobby is open 24 hours a day, every day and is under video surveillance for added protection. If the other person does not want to meet at the police department, or another public place, there is a good possibility that something isn't right and you should probably avoid completing the transaction.

If you are unable to meet at the police department and chose another location to complete internet transactions, help protect yourself by remembering these tips when meeting someone for the first time:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers into your home.
• Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe, bank, or shopping center.
• Be especially careful buying & selling high value items.
• Take your cell phone with you.
• Tell a friend or family member where you are going.
• Consider having someone with you.
• Trust your instincts.