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I’ve purchased so many things online, from vintage vinyl records to quirky home decor. Usually, this means arranging to meet somewhere to exchange money and the goods. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking, though, because you never know who you’ll be meeting or how safe the spot is. That’s why I was intrigued when I first noticed a handshake symbol on a parking space. What could it mean?
I discovered that in Pembroke, Ontario, certain parking spots display this symbol. Specifically, the spaces outside the Pembroke OPP station at 77 International Drive were established as part of Project Safe Trade, a community safety initiative for people completing transactions arranged online. The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP launched the Pembroke program in December 2022.
Think about it. You find something you’ve been searching for ages, negotiate a price, and then comes the nerve-wracking part: arranging the meetup. You want a place that’s safe, public, and preferably well-lit and visible. But how often do we actually get that perfect combination? Not very often. And that’s where these handshake-symbol parking spots come into play.
When you see a designated Safe Trade space, you know it is intended for people meeting to exchange items they arranged to buy or sell online. The idea is straightforward: instead of inviting a stranger to your home or meeting somewhere isolated, you can choose a public location specifically designated for this type of transaction.
Why Were These Parking Spaces Created?
Online marketplaces have made buying and selling secondhand items incredibly convenient.
You can list an old phone in the morning and potentially have someone interested in it within minutes. You can sell furniture, electronics, collectibles, clothing, appliances, bicycles, or almost anything else.
The problem starts when the online conversation moves into the real world.
The buyer needs to see the item.
The seller needs to receive payment.
Both people need to meet somewhere.
And suddenly, two complete strangers who have only communicated through an app are standing together in a parking lot.
Police services across Ontario have created designated exchange areas specifically because in-person transactions arranged through online marketplaces can carry risks including theft, robbery, and fraud. The Ottawa Police Service, for example, encourages buyers and sellers to use designated Safe Trade locations or, at minimum, meet in a well-lit, public location with video surveillance.
The principle behind these spaces is simple: move the transaction away from private homes and isolated locations and into a visible public environment.
Does the Handshake Mean the Police Are Watching the Transaction?
This is an important distinction.
A Safe Trade space is not necessarily a place where a police officer will stand beside you and supervise the exchange.
In Pembroke, the OPP specifically stated that it would not mediate transactions, provide documentation, or act as a witness. If an officer is requested, the officer would respond and intervene if the transaction became a criminal matter.
Other police services have similar rules.
Ottawa Police, for example, warns that its Safe Trade Zones are not monitored 24/7 and that the police service does not assume responsibility for transactions conducted there.
So the handshake symbol should not be interpreted as saying, “A police officer is watching everything that happens here.”
Instead, it means something closer to:
This is a designated public place for your exchange.
That distinction matters because you still need to take responsibility for your own safety.
Why Is a Police Station a Better Meeting Place?
There are several practical advantages.
First, police stations are public locations rather than private residences.
Second, they are generally easier to identify and find than a random parking lot.
Third, designated spaces may be located in visible areas with lighting and existing security infrastructure. For example, Brantford Police says its Buy and Sell Exchange Zone is close to the station entrance and within view of existing surveillance video.
The environment itself can also discourage someone from attempting a robbery or other crime.
If someone knows the meeting place is directly associated with a police facility, that may make the location less attractive for criminal activity than an isolated parking lot.
That doesn’t make the transaction risk-free, but it can provide an additional layer of safety.
What Should You Do Before Meeting Someone?
Choosing a Safe Trade space is a great first step, but it shouldn’t be the only precaution you take.
Before meeting the buyer or seller, take a few minutes to look at their online profile.
Does the account appear established?
Do they have previous reviews or ratings?
Does their communication seem consistent?
Are they suddenly changing the agreed location?
Police services specifically recommend checking marketplace profiles, reviews, account history, and other available information before meeting someone.
You should also keep the conversation within the marketplace platform whenever possible.
Save relevant messages, emails, phone numbers, and other transaction details. The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP specifically advised people not to erase emails, texts, or voicemails between buyers and sellers.
That information could become useful if something goes wrong.
Always Meet During the Day When Possible
Daylight makes a difference.
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