CORNWALL, Ontario – On Friday, Jan. 20, the Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) unveiled their new Internet Exchange Zone, a site designed to promote safety when buying or selling things to strangers met on the internet.
The idea stemmed from increased dangers and unease around meeting strangers for purchases made through sites like Kijiji and Craigslist.
In recent years there have been several high profile crimes perpetrated against people lured through these sites.
In the United States, Philip Markoff became known as the Craigslist Killer for the series of murders he allegedly committed by answering ads placed on the classified ad site.
In Canada, 2016 saw the trial of the murderers of Tim Bosma.
“The idea comes in the wake of the killing of Tim Bosma of Ancaster, who vanished in May 2013 after leaving his home with two men to test drive a truck he was selling online,” the CCPS said in a press release. “His charred remains were later found on a farm in Ayr and a first-degree murder trial is before the courts.”
Cornwall’s Internet Exchange Zone is located at 330 Montreal Road, the Easte End Station for the CCPS.
There are two parking spots marked with a yellow square and survielled by an security camera capable of infra-red capture for night time surveillance.
“This was a minimal investment for a good cause,” said CCPS Constable Dan Cloutier. “The City of Cornwall was quick to assist us. Many have experienced the thought of a stranger coming to your home or being lured to an unknown location and not knowing what to expect.”
