Towson, MD – With holiday shopping surging across Baltimore County this week, police are urging residents to use designated “transaction safe zones” when meeting strangers to buy or sell items arranged online.
According to the Baltimore County Police Department, officers see a seasonal spike in marketplace-related thefts, scams, and confrontations. To reduce risks, the department has released its updated list of monitored locations where residents can safely complete exchanges. Each site is positioned at or near a police precinct and is equipped with surveillance cameras and high visibility.
Police say the safe zones can be used for exchanges stemming from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, or any peer-to-peer sale. The department notes that meeting in a public, well-lit, and camera-monitored location drastically lowers the risk of theft or fraud during holiday buying.
Baltimore County’s designated transaction zones include:
- Precinct-1 Wilkens: 901 Walker Ave., 21228
- Precinct-2 Woodlawn: 6424 Windsor Mill Rd., 21207
- Precinct-3 Franklin: 606 Nicodemus Rd., 21136
- Precinct-4 Pikesville: 215 Milford Mill Rd., 21208
- Precinct-6 Towson: 115 W. Susquehanna Ave., 21204
- Public Safety Building: 700 E. Joppa Rd., 21286
- Precinct-7 Cockeysville: 111 Wight Ave., 21030
- Precinct-8 Parkville: 8532 Old Harford Rd., 21234
- Precinct-9 White Marsh: 8220 Perry Hall Blvd., 21236
- Precinct-11 Essex: 216 N. Marlyn Ave., 21221
- Precinct-12 Dundalk: 428 Westham Way, 21224
- Randallstown Substation: 9428 Liberty Rd., 21133
Police emphasize that residents should avoid private residences, remote parking lots, or secluded areas when meeting buyers or sellers they do not know. They also encourage family members to share the list with older relatives, who are more likely to be targeted in person-to-person fraud.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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