At Monday’s Flower Mound Town Council meeting, Police Chief Andy Kancel debuted the sign for a new online transaction exchange zone.
With the growing number of online transactions being made every day through Facebook, Craigslist and other social media outlets, the Flower Mound Police Department decided to offer a designated public area to the transactions in the Flower Mound Police Department parking lot.
Two visitor parking spaces near the front of the police department at 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane will be under 24-hour video surveillance in a well-lit and highly-visible area.
The signs in front of the spaces clearly designate the areas for the online exchange, according to a news release.
“We saw this as a win-win,” said Councilmember Bryan Webb.
Even with the designated online transaction exchange zones, police offer several guidelines to keep in mind:
• Transactions involving weapons, knifes, or firearms are prohibited.
• Please use the two marked visitor parking spaces near the front entrance of the Police Department.
• Do not block any reserved Emergency Vehicle or Handicap Parking Spaces.
For transactions in other areas, police offer the following tips for the safest transaction experience:
• Always make sure the area the transaction will take place is well-lit and has high quality video surveillance.
• Always conduct transactions with a friend or family member who has a cell phone in case of emergency.
• Always meet in active public areas.
• Always notify a friend or family member of where you are going and how long you expect to be.
• Do not conduct transactions by placing items on your porch, and asking the buyer to leave cash under door mat. This type of transaction brings an unknown person to your doorstep; often when you are not home.
• Remember transactions where funds are transferred or exchanged via reloadable debit or gift cards are untraceable and non-refundable if the transaction is fraudulent.
If anyone feels they are a victim of fraud due to an online transaction, contact the Flower Mound Police Department at 972-539-0525.
