Longmont police won’t create ‘safe zone’ for Craigslist deals

In the month since Michelle Wilkins was stabbed while answering a Craigslist ad in Longmont, at least seven law enforcement agencies have created physical, monitored spaces for online transactions. One notable exception, reports the Denver Post, is Longmont itself.

Deputy Police Chief Craig Earhart told the paper that the Longmont department decided they didn't have the space or equipment to do it properly.

"We just felt that creating a safe zone would provide a false sense of security for people when we know it can't be monitored 24 hours a day by police," Earhart said.

Instead, Longmont police will launch a "marketing blitz" via social and traditional media to publicize tips to buyers and sellers about how to complete online sales safely, including avoiding going to a location alone and attempting to execute the deal outside rather than inside.