E-Commerce Safe Spots are available in Atmore.

Through a collaborative effort between the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce and the Atmore Police Department, the new E-Commerce Safe Spots are located right beside the fire department, and are labeled “E-Commerce Parking Only.”

E-Commerce Safe Spots are safe locations where private individuals can conduct business from transactions through LetGo, Etsy, Craigslist, Facebook and others, according to a press release from the chamber.

According to the release, this is the first E-Commerce Safe Spots in the area.

“We believe that having an area designated for this specific purpose and which is recorded and monitored by the police department will deter those wanting to engage in criminal activity,” Chamber President Brandy Giger said.

The two marked parking spaces have high-definition cameras that record activity 24-7 and good lighting to ensure safer transactions, the release said.

The cameras are monitored and the video feed streams live to Police Chief Chuck Brooks.

Using the safe spots is free.

The E-Commerce Safe Spots are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and it is recommended that transactions be held during the daylight hours.

The chamber also offered some safety tips in regard to E-Commerce Safe Spots, which include:

• Never meet anyone at your home or their home. Always meet at the new E-Commerce Safe Spot or in a public place, such as a restaurant or shopping center, or anywhere where there is a high volume of pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

• Never conduct business inside of a vehicle.

• Avoid meeting at night.

• Regardless of the location and time, those meeting for the transaction need to bring a family member along to serve as a witness.

• Be aware of identity theft.

• Be careful when sharing personal information. Never list home address, phone number or anything else that could be used to identify you.

• If a dispute arises from the transaction, remember that you, the seller, can terminate the transaction.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.

• Conduct research on both the product you are buying, and the person you’re dealing with on the transaction.

• Be wary of people who solicit your business without your permission.

• Don’t allow other parties to change the location once you arrive.