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(Birmingham Police)

Excited about selling your old sofa or your grandmother's dishes on Craigslist, but afraid of who might be on the other end of that transaction? Leery about delivering a large amount of cash to the woman selling an authentic designer purse on your favorite Facebook trading site?

The Birmingham Police Department is stepping up to help.

Police officials on Thursday designated the downtown headquarters on First Avenue North, and the city's West Precinct, as a "Meetup Spot" - a safe zone or "internet purchase exchange location."

It is a move that many police departments around the country have made following some high-profile crimes involving online trading deals.

The department is partnering with OfferUp, an online marketplace, which as a program aimed at helping law enforcement provide safe places for community members to conduct transactions, said Sgt. Bryan Shelton.

The signs will be placed in areas that are well-lit and monitored by surveillance cameras and police. The goal, Shelton said, is to make sure internet exchanges go smoothly.

"Meeting people for the first time can be unsettling, especially if it's someone from the internet,'' he said. "With these signs and this program, we feel we are able to provide a place where both buyers and sellers can meet that both can trust."

The meeting spots at headquarters and the West Precinct are either at the front entrance or inside the lobby. Shelton said transactions at headquarter - 1701 First Ave. North -should always be conducted during normal daytime hours. The lobby of the West Precinct - 2236 47th Street Ensley - is open 24 hours a day, but after-hours transactions are discouraged.

While the department is teaming up with OfferUp on this project, Shelton said, anyone who needs a safe meeting spot for any trading site is welcome at the two locations. They plan to add more locations in the future.

"Even with good lighting and cameras, it's always best to meet up during daytime hours,'' Shelton said. "Technology should not be a substitute for caution or sound judgement."