Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey has asked the council to pass an ordinance to create a local "safe exchange zone"
EDISON -- A new township ordinance could take the unease out of Craigslist and other online marketplace deals that require an in-person exchange.
Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey has asked the council to pass an ordinance to create a local "safe exchange zone," allowing people to arrange a transaction for goods listed internet classified sites.
"E-commerce transactions are increasingly popular," said Lankey. "We recognize that a growing number of people are using online classified ads to buy and sell merchandise, from personal items like jewelry and collectibles to memorabilia and antiques."
Police Chief Thomas Bryan said the safe zone would help prevent any e-commerce transactions from ending in robberies.
The proposed ordinance will designate the police headquarters lobby as the exchange area 24 hours a day, where video cameras will record the transaction.
If Edison approves the ordinance next week, the township will become to the 19th municipality in the state with similar safe zones, including local towns South Brunswick and East Brunswick.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.