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Windsor will get its own internet exchange zone almost eight years after the Ontario Provincial Police launched the region’s first public transaction space in the Town of Tecumseh.
The Windsor Police Service is preparing to launch an internet exchange zone in April at 2696 Jefferson Blvd., the site of the department’s reporting centre.
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The OPP dubbed its year-long pilot Project Safe Trade and created a zone outside the detachment in Tecumseh, aimed at making purchase exchanges arranged over the internet safer.
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“These internet exchange zones are common at police stations across the country and contribute to public safety and provide reassurance to community members who utilize them,” deputy chief Jason Crowley said in a report to the Windsor Police Services Board.
“They are not typically located within the building, but outside, under 24/7 camera surveillance.”
Officials reviewed several locations in the city before deciding on the Jefferson Boulevard location.
Two parking spots will be designated with signage indicating the area is under live recorded video surveillance and advising to call 911 in case of an emergency.
“This transaction zone will contribute to public safety by preventing fraudulent transactions, thefts or physical attacks that may occur in the context of some online purchases,” Crowley said.
“It will also provide community members with the confidence to meet sellers/buyers who are strangers to complete their transactions as well as aid the WPS in investigations that may contain a criminal element.”
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The OPP have safe internet exchange zones set up at all Essex County detachments — in Lakeshore, Tecumseh, Essex (Harrow), Kingsville and Leamington.
There is a safe exchange zone in the visitors parking lot outside the LaSalle Police Service at 1880 Normandy St., as well.
There is no designated internet exchange space in the Town of Amherstburg, which is serviced by Windsor police.
Police point out they have no direct involvement with transactions.
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