Ottawa Police announces Project Safe Trade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 29, 2023           1:35 pm 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is pleased to announce Project Safe Trade, parking spots at three police stations intended to support safety when completing trades stemming from online marketplaces and websites or any other type of personal sales.

Websites are often used as tools to sell property and can present a personal safety risk due to the high volume of thefts and robberies that can occur during these transactions. To increase public safety and reduce crime, the OPS invites members of the public to use their designated Safe Trade locations to facilitate these person-to-person exchanges.

Creating Safe Trade parking spaces at OPS stations is about moving transactions away from secluded parking lots or private residences and bringing them into public places.

Safe Trade parking spots are clearly marked by signage and a blue logo to help you identify where to conduct a safe exchange.

Safe Trade locations at OPS facilities are:

• 466 Metcalfe Street (visitors’ parking lot behind 474 Elgin Street police station)
• 211 Huntmar Drive (Kanata police station)
• 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard (Orleans police station)

The OPS reminds everyone to keep their safety at the forefront when meeting for an exchange with a stranger.

When buying and selling items, here are some other safety tips to consider:

• Do not invite the other party to your home to complete the trade.
• When meeting for the trade, we recommend you bring a friend and meet in a public place with extensive lighting and video surveillance, like a shopping mall, but preferably a Safe Trade spot at a police station.
• Meet during daylight hours if you’re planning to meet in person. Any last-minute changes to the location should be considered a red flag. We recommend you walk away from the exchange rather than go to a second location.
• Avoid vacant parking lots or properties when you meet with the other party.

Please note that Safe Trade Zones are not monitored 24/7. Persons using the premises for Project Safe Trade are advised that the Ottawa Police Service does not assume any responsibility for any transactions or mediate the use of its premises for this purpose.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366