You make the deal as you normally would.
Discuss the item, price, payment method, and meeting time with the buyer or seller.
2. Choose the Designated Space
Instead of agreeing to meet at a private residence or isolated location, suggest the designated safe-trade area.
At the Pembroke OPP location, the spaces were announced as available without an appointment.
3. Meet in the Public Area
Both parties arrive at the agreed location.
Because you're meeting in a public setting associated with a police facility, there is considerably more visibility than there would be in someone's home or an empty parking lot.
4. Complete the Transaction
You inspect the item, exchange payment, and complete the transaction.
And then you go home.
Simple.
Does the Police Actually Watch the Transaction?
This is an important distinction.
A safe-trade parking space is not the same thing as asking a police officer to supervise your purchase.
When Project Safe Trade was launched in Pembroke, the OPP specifically stated that officers would not mediate transactions, provide documentation, or act as witnesses to the exchange.
If an officer were requested, the OPP said the officer would respond and intervene if the situation became a criminal matter.
So don't arrive expecting an officer to inspect the item, count the money, or guarantee that the other person is trustworthy.
That's still your responsibility.
The parking space simply gives you a safer, more public place to meet.
Why Is Meeting in Public So Important?
Let's say you're selling a valuable camera.
A stranger messages you and says they'd like to buy it.
They ask where you live.
You might naturally think, “Sure, I'll just give them my address.”
But there's really no reason you need to invite someone you don't know to your home just to complete an online sale.
A public meeting location creates a little more separation between your personal life and the transaction.
The OPP's Project Safe Trade guidance recommended several precautions, including meeting in a busy public space, bringing a trusted friend or family member, conducting transactions during daylight hours, and preserving messages and other communications related to the transaction.
Those are useful precautions even if your community doesn't have a designated safe-trade parking space.
What Should You Do If Your Area Doesn't Have One?
Don't worry—you can still make online transactions safer.
Choose a Busy Public Location
Coffee shops, shopping centers, public buildings, and other busy areas can be preferable to secluded locations.
Meet During the Day
Daylight generally gives you better visibility and more people around.
Bring Someone With You
If you're selling something valuable, consider bringing a friend or family member.
There's no rule saying you have to show up alone.
Keep Your Messages
Don't immediately delete your conversations with the buyer or seller.
Keep relevant messages, emails, receipts, and other transaction information.
Trust Your Instincts
This one is huge.
If something about the arrangement feels strange, you don't have to go through with it.
You can always walk away.
What If the Buyer or Seller Refuses to Meet in Public?
That's a red flag worth taking seriously.
If someone insists on meeting at your home, asks you to travel somewhere isolated, or becomes aggressive when you suggest a public location, you don't have to accommodate them.
You can simply say:
“I'd prefer to meet in a public place.”
If they won't agree, find another buyer or seller.
There will always be another item.
Your safety is worth more than a bargain.
What If Someone Shows Up and Something Feels Wrong?
You don't have to complete the transaction.
Maybe the person who arrives doesn't match what you expected.
Maybe there are suddenly several people with them.
Maybe they're behaving aggressively.
Maybe the item isn't what was advertised.
Or maybe you simply have a bad feeling.
You can leave.
You don't owe a stranger an explanation.
If you believe you're in immediate danger, contact emergency services. In Ontario, the OPP directs people to call 911 for emergencies; its non-emergency line is 1-888-310-1122.
What Does the Handshake Represent?
The handshake is a pretty fitting symbol.
A handshake traditionally represents an agreement or exchange between two people.
In this setting, it represents the basic idea behind a safe online transaction:
Two people agreeing to meet and exchange something in a safer public environment.
It's not a guarantee.
It's not a police endorsement of the person you're meeting.
And it's not a promise that nothing can go wrong.
Instead, it's a practical tool designed to make the meeting location itself less isolated.
Is This Only for Buying and Selling Things?
The concept is primarily intended for online property transactions.
That could include things purchased or sold through online marketplaces and classified platforms.
The exact rules can vary depending on the location providing the designated space, so it's smart to check with the relevant police service before assuming a particular parking area is available for your transaction.
Can You Use the Parking Space Without an Appointment?
For the Pembroke OPP safe-trade spaces announced under Project Safe Trade, the OPP said they were available without an appointment.
That makes the concept especially convenient.
You don't have to schedule a police meeting.
You don't have to call ahead to have someone supervise your purchase.
You simply use the designated public area for its intended purpose.
Still, because programs can change, it's sensible to check the current information from the local police service before relying on a particular location.
What You Should Never Assume
There's one thing I really want to emphasize.
A safe-trade parking space doesn't make the other person automatically trustworthy.
The location can reduce some risks associated with meeting strangers, but it can't eliminate every possible problem.
You should still:
- Inspect items carefully before paying.
- Be cautious with large cash transactions.
- Keep your personal information private.
- Avoid giving strangers unnecessary access to your home.
- Keep records of your conversations.
- Bring someone with you when practical.
- Meet during daylight when possible.
- Leave if the situation becomes uncomfortable.
- Never allow yourself to be pressured into completing a transaction.
The parking space is a safety measure—not a guarantee.
What If You're Selling Something From Your Home?
This is where these spaces can be especially useful.
Let's say you're selling an expensive piece of electronics.
The buyer asks if they can come to your house.
You might think, “Well, it would certainly be convenient.”
But now someone you don't know has your address.
They know where you live.
They may see what kind of vehicle you drive, what equipment you have, or what other belongings are visible around your home.
Meeting elsewhere keeps your home address private.
And that can be a very worthwhile trade-off.
What If the Item Is Too Large to Move?
That's where things become a little more complicated.
If you're selling a large piece of furniture, appliance, or another item that can't reasonably be transported to a safe-trade space, you may need another plan.
If someone has to come to your property, consider having another adult present and arranging the pickup when other people are around.
For particularly valuable items, you may also want to consider whether the transaction can be completed through a more formal marketplace or business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a handshake symbol painted on a parking space mean?
It can identify a designated safe-trade area intended for people meeting to complete transactions arranged online. In Pembroke, Ontario, the handshake-marked spaces were part of the OPP's Project Safe Trade initiative.
Can anyone use a safe-trade parking space?
The Pembroke OPP announced its designated spaces for community members completing online property transactions and said they were available without an appointment.
Will a police officer supervise my transaction?
Not necessarily. The OPP specifically stated that officers would not mediate transactions, provide documentation, or act as witnesses.
Does meeting at a police station guarantee that I won't be scammed?
No. A safe-trade location can provide a more public setting, but you should still use normal precautions when buying or selling online.
Should I meet a stranger at my home to sell something?
A public meeting location is generally preferable when practical, particularly when you're dealing with someone you don't know.
What should I do if a buyer makes me uncomfortable?
You can cancel the transaction and leave. If you believe you're in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
Can I bring someone with me?
Absolutely. Bringing a trusted friend or family member can be a useful safety precaution. The OPP included that recommendation in its Project Safe Trade guidance.
Are these parking spaces available everywhere?
No. Safe-trade parking programs are established by individual police services or communities, so availability and rules vary by location.
The Bigger Idea Behind the Handshake Parking Space
The thing I love about this idea is how simple it is.
Online marketplaces have made buying and selling incredibly convenient.
You can find a buyer for an old piece of furniture in minutes.
You can sell something you no longer need without putting an ad in the newspaper.
You can find collectibles, electronics, clothing, tools, toys, and just about anything else imaginable.
But eventually, many online transactions still come down to two strangers meeting face-to-face.
And that's where a little planning can make a big difference.
A designated handshake parking space gives people another option:
Meet somewhere public. Keep your home private. Bring someone along. Complete the transaction. Go home.
That's a pretty clever solution to a very modern problem.
The Bottom Line
So, if you ever see a handshake symbol painted on a parking space, don't assume it's just quirky parking-lot artwork.
It may be a designated safe-trade parking space created specifically for people buying or selling things online.
In Pembroke, Ontario, the OPP established these spaces at its detachment on International Drive through Project Safe Trade, with the goal of moving online transactions into a public setting rather than secluded locations or private residences.
And honestly, I think the idea makes perfect sense.
The next time you're selling something online and the buyer says, “Where should we meet?” you don't necessarily have to give them your home address.
Look for a designated safe-trade area in your community—or choose another busy, public location.
Because that handshake symbol is really saying something pretty simple:
Make the meeting safer before the transaction ever begins.
And that is one parking space I wouldn't overlook!
