A safe place to meet strangers

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department is encouraging citizens to use the department's parking lot when completing sales transactions with strangers.

Sgt. Christie Wood said the majority of people selling and buying things on sites like Craigslist or through classified ads are making legitimate business deals.

"But there are people who use this venue to victimize others. Those are the crimes we wish to prevent by making our parking lot available," Wood said, adding that City Council member Kiki Miller suggested they initiate the practice. "She asked Chief White if we could provide that service to the public and he immediately agreed it is a great idea that promotes safety to our citizens."

The Post Falls Police Department already offers the same safety net.

"It was the idea of one of our dispatchers after the elderly couple in Georgia was killed and their car taken during a Craigslist exchange," said Post Falls Police Capt. Greg McLean.

In January, the Georgia couple disappeared after going to meet a man selling a 1966 Mustang. Their bodies were later found, each shot in the head.

McLean said he has seen increasing use of the department's lot - which has 24-hour surveillance cameras and is available anytime - to conduct transactions.

"...so I would say that it is a hit," McLean said.

The Post Falls Police Department is located at 1717 E. Polston Ave.

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department's parking lot, 3818 N. Schreiber Way, is open for this activity Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., when the office is open.

"We only ask that citizens do not leave vehicles or other items for sale in our parking lot. We want them to just utilize it for the transaction," Wood said.

Info: Coeur d'Alene Police Department, (208) 769-2320; Post Falls Police Department, (208) 773-3517