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As the number of residents buying and selling goods online continues to increase, the potential for risks associated with these transactions does as well. Did you know that many police departments allow residents to carry-out internet sales transactions on police property? While each department might refer to it by a different name (Sales Transaction Zone, E-Commerce Exchange, etc.), the purpose remains the same: to provide consumers a level of comfort knowing they can make their transactions in a public place.
A few important details to keep in mind:
- Transaction zones apply to legal transactions only.
- Best practice suggests making transactions during daylight hours. While nighttime hours are not prohibited and most departments do not have specific hours they permit transactions to occur, meeting a stranger during daylight hours is wisest.
- Interaction from police officers varies for each department. Locations are typically under 24/7 video surveillance and some department’s request you call ahead so they know what is occurring, however, many do not. Moreover, most departments have little to no oversight of the transaction: police do not supervise the transaction, confirm identities, or check the items to ensure authenticity or that they are not stolen.
- Be wary of people unwilling to conduct business at the police station.
- Always use caution. Making a transaction on police property does not guarantee your safety. Trust your instincts. If something feels uncomfortable, notify the police.
Below is a list of local police departments that allow sales transactions. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is grateful for the assistance of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association in collecting this information. If your town is not listed, that does not necessarily mean exchanges on police property are prohibited. Call your local police department and inquire.
Acton
Acton Police Department Lobby & Main Parking Lot
472 Main Street
Acton, MA 01720
Auburn**
Auburn Police Department Lobby & Parking Lot
416 Oxford St, North
Auburn, MA 01501
Ayer**
Ayer Police Department Lobby & Parking Lot
54 Park Street
Ayer, MA 01432
Bellingham*
Bellingham Police Department Front Parking Lot
30 Blackstone Street
Bellingham, MA 02019
Bernardston
Bernardston Police Department
256 South Street
Bernardston, MA 01337
Brewster* **
Brewster Police Department Parking Lot
631 Harwich Road
Brewster, MA 02631
Brookline
Brookline Police Department Lobby
350 Washington Street
Brookline, MA 02445
Chelmsford
Chelmsford Police Department Lobby & Front Parking Lot
2 Olde North Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Dartmouth
Dartmouth Police Department Parking Lot
249 Russells Mills Road
Dartmouth, MA 02748
Easton
Easton Police Department Front of Police Station
46 Lothrop Street
North Easton, MA 02356
Georgetown*
Georgetown Police Department Parking Lot
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833
Groveland**
Groveland Police Department Rear Parking Lot
181 Main Street
Groveland, MA 01834
-Daylight hours only
Hopedale*
Hopedale Police Department
70 Hopedale Street
Hopedale, MA 01747
Hudson*
Hudson Police Department East Parking Lot
62 Packard Street
Hudson, MA 01719
Leicester*
Leicester Police Department
90 S Main Street
Leicester, MA 01524
Littleton
Littleton Police Department Lobby & Parking Lot
500 Great Road
Littleton, MA 01460
Maynard
Maynard Police Department Lobby
197 Main Street
Maynard, MA
Milford
Milford Police Department Headquarters Lobby & Front of Police Station
250 Main Street
Milford, MA
Monson**
Monson Police Department Parking Lot
110 Main Street
Monson, MA 01057
New Bedford
New Bedford Police Department Headquarters
871 Rockdale Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02740
Northampton
Northampton Police Department Parking Lot
29 Center Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Northborough*
Northborough Police Department Public Parking Area
211 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
Northbridge
Northbridge Police Department Parking Lot
1 Hope Street
Whitinsville, MA 01588
Norton
Norton Police Department Parking Lot
82 East Main Street
Norton, MA 02766
Norwell
Norwell Police Department Front parking Lot
300A Washington Street
Norwell, MA 02061
Provincetown
Provincetown Police Department Rear Parking Lot
26 Shankpainter Road
Provincetown, MA 02657
Rochester
Rochester Police Department Parking Lot
29 Dexter Lane
Rochester, MA 02770
Sandwich
Sandwich Police Department Parking Lot
117MA-6A
Sandwich, MA 02563
Salem
Salem Police Department Parking Lot
95 Margin Street
Salem, MA 01970
Seekonk
Seekonk Police Department Lobby & Front Parking Lot
500 Taunton Avenue
Seekonk, MA 02771
-signs designating specific spaces are being acquired
Somerset
Somerset Police Department Parking Lot
465 County Street
Somerset, MA 02726
Southborough
Southborough Police Department Parking Lot
19 Main Street
Southborough, MA 01772
Stoughton
Stoughton Police Department Parking Lot
26 Rose Street
Stoughton, MA 02072
Sturbridge
Sturbridge Police Department Lobby & Front Parking Lot
346 Main Street
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Tewksbury
Tewksbury Police Department Visitor Parking Lot
918 Main Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Upton:
Upton Police Department Parking Lot
30 School Street
Upton, MA 01568
West Bridgewater
West Bridgewater Police Department
99 W Center St # 2
West Bridgewater, MA 02379
Whitman
Whitman Police Department Lobby
20 Essex Street
Whitman, MA 02382
Yarmouth
Yarmouth Police Department Parking Lot
1 Erickson Way
Yarmouth, MA 02673
Coming Soon:
Blackstone
Blackstone Police Department
15 St Paul Street
Blackstone, MA 01504
Hadley
Hadley Police Department
15 East Street
Hadley, MA 01035
Ipswich**
Ipswich Police Department Back Parking Lot
15 Elm Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
North Attleboro
North Attleboro Police Department Parking Lot
102 South Washington Street
North Attleboro, MA 02760
Norwell
Norwell Police Department Front Parking Lot
300A Washington Street
Norwell, MA 02061
Truro**
Truro Police Department Lobby & Side Parking Lot
344 Route 6
Truro, MA 02666
*Denotes a designated parking space (marked with signage)
**Denotes residents must call ahead or check-in with dispatcher prior to meeting
If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by calling our Consumer Hotline at (617) 973-8787, or toll-free in MA at (888) 283-3757, Monday through Friday, from 9 am-4:30 pm. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, @Mass_Consumer. The Baker-Polito Administration’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is committed to protecting consumers through consumer advocacy and education.
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