Authorities in Adams County on Thursday announced the designation of three sheriff’s office transaction safety zones where citizens can makes sales and purchases through sites like Craigslist.
“These safe transaction zones were designed to help protect our citizens as robberies, thefts and scams become more prevalent with online transaction sites,” Sgt. Aaron Pataluna said in a news release.
The zones have been set up in the lobbies of sheriff’s office facilities in Brighton and Commerce City. Pataluna said they are well-lit and monitored by cameras.
The announcement comes after that a man was charged in the deaths of a couple whose bodies were found in rural Georgia. They apparently were lured by the suspect through a Craigslist ad with hopes of buying an antique Mustang convertible. The victims, in their 60s, had been shot in the head.
Police in Aurora accusing him of using online transaction sites to lure and sexually assault women and girls in Colorado and California through the guise of free massages.
Sheriff’s office workers in Adams County say they will not participate in transactions or act as witnesses.
“Our employees are not available for legal advice or allowed to settle disputes between parties involved in transactions occurring in our facilities,” Pataluna said.
Transactions involving weapons, drugs or drug paraphernalia are barred from the zones.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The zones:
– Patrol Substation, 4201 E 72nd Ave., Commerce City, CO 80022. Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
– Headquarters, 332 N 19th Ave., Brighton, CO 80601. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
– Detention Facility, 150 N 19th Ave., Brighton, CO 80601. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.
