You can find some smoking deals online. Furniture, cars, and fishing supplies, among a plethora of other items are available.  But along with hot deals comes the potential for shady dealings.

However, Rankin County has a solution. The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office and multiple police departments in the area are creating “Safe Zones” for online “Craigslist” type transactions in the parking lots of at the Sheriff’s Office and police stations.

Rankin County Sheriff, Bryan Bailey, and many of the local police chiefs in Rankin County are encouraging the public to use the agencies’ parking lots and/or lobbies for their online transactions when a face to face meeting and exchange is required.

Many of these locations are under 24-hour video surveillance and have a constant flow of law enforcement personnel at all hours.

“We believe that this will prevent robberies and violent crime, and we hope this will make our citizens feel safer,” said Sheriff Bailey. “Providing these ‘Safe Lots’ are something positive we can do for our community at absolutely no cost.”

The following locations may be used;

Rankin County Sheriff’s Office in Brandon

Brandon Police Department

Pearl Police Department

Flowood Police Department

Florence Police Department

Pelahatchie Police Department

Reservoir Police Department

*Hat tip to Jackson Jambalaya for getting the scoop.

Matthew Thompson is a Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and likes getting a good deal, just like the rest of you!

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