Residents of Pembroke, Ontario, may spot a new symbol appearing in select parking spaces outside the Ontario Provincial Police detachment on International Drive. Marked with a simple handshake icon, these designated spots are community safety zones created for in-person exchanges tied to online buying and selling. The idea is straightforward: offer a well-lit, monitored public location where buyers and sellers can meet with added peace of mind.
As online marketplaces continue to expand, meeting strangers at private homes or isolated locations can carry unnecessary risk. To address this, the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP launched Project Safe Trade, encouraging residents to choose public spaces instead. The safety zones at local OPP detachments are available 24 hours a day and don’t require appointments, making them a convenient option for quick handoffs at any time.
By providing a neutral, highly visible setting, the program aims to reduce common issues associated with private meetups. Police emphasize that while officers won’t oversee or mediate transactions, their nearby presence allows for rapid response if a situation becomes uncomfortable or unsafe. Officials also note the zones are especially helpful during busy shopping periods, such as the holidays, when online buying and selling tend to surge.
Residents are still encouraged to follow basic safety habits alongside using the zones: meet during daylight hours when possible, bring a friend or family member, and keep records of messages or agreements until the exchange is complete. Combined with the new safety spaces, these simple steps help create a more secure environment—allowing Pembroke residents to buy and sell online with greater confidence and less stress.