Thunder Bay Police Service introduces new Safe Trade Zone

May 22, 2025

The Thunder Bay Police Service has launched a new initiative to help provide a safe option for people buying and selling through online marketplaces.

The Safe Trade Zone provides members of the public with designated parking spaces captured by video surveillance to complete person-to-person exchanges that had been arranged.

 

The Safe Trade Zone spaces at the police station provides users with an alternative to inviting strangers to their homes or potentially meeting in secluded areas, reducing the risk of thefts or robberies occurring.

 

The designated meeting place also helps sellers ensure they receive their expected funds. Cases of online fraud are particularly difficult to investigate. Repayment or reimbursement of lost funds is rare.

 

The idea was brought forward by police service members and proposed to senior leadership earlier this year where it received approval. The designated spaces were implemented this week.

 

The zone is accessible from the Balmoral Street entrance to the police station property and immediately to the right. Signage is in place marking the designated zone.

 

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