Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR)- Virginia Beach Police are offering up the police precinct lobby as a safe place for folks to conduct transactions arranged through classified advertisement websites like Craigslist.

The initiative is called "Find a Safe Place" and police are hoping conducting transactions at the police precinct will help reduce potential dangers to buyers and sellers by offering a safe location.

"Those transactions should not be conducted in secluded parking lots, behind a building, in a dark location especially when you're dealing with strangers. Someone you've never met before - you have no idea what their intentions are - whether they have evil intent or the best of intentions," Officer James Cason Jr. told NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo Tuesday.

Members of the community are welcome to utilize any of the four Virginia Beach police precincts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

First Precinct

2509 Princess Anne Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23456

2509 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Second Precinct

820 Virginia Beach Boulevard

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

820 Virginia Beach Boulevard Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Third Precinct

926 Independence Boulevard

Virginia Beach, VA 23455

926 Independence Boulevard Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Fourth Precinct

840 Kempsville Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23464

According to Virginia Beach Police, the offer does not extend to transactions involving:

Large, cumbersome household items, appliances and landscape care equipment

The sale of any contraband, stolen property or other illegal items

Other safety precautions from Virginia Beach Police:

Be very suspicious of the buyer or the seller who changes the agreed upon meeting location

Always meet the buyer or seller in a public place, with plenty of people around

Avoid meeting on side streets or places that are not well-lit

Always take someone with you and inform the buyer and seller that you will not be alone

Consider conducting the transaction in the police precinct parking lot or lobby

"If you attempt to make that transaction and the person you are making the transaction with says 'No, I don't think I want to meet at the police station,' it's probably a good indication that you should look elsewhere for that item," Cason added.