LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Following several recent robberies, police in Louisville are reminding people to stay safe when buying and selling items in online marketplaces.

Louisville Metro Police encourage people to use a public place to close the deal.

"We've actually had 7 or 8 cars carjacked in the month of September for these specific Facebook Marketplace meetings," said LMPD spokesperson Matt Sanders.

Since this time last year, LMPD said there have been 30 reports of strong-armed robbery directly related to Facebook Marketplace.

Nine incidents have happened in the last month.

Officers say the suspects are mostly juveniles taking advantage of other peoples' vulnerability.

"They're agreeing to meet up with somebody, Sanders said. "The location may change a couple of times. It'll be an area that the seller or buyer is not familiar with, and the next thing you know they're getting carjacked and or a gun in their face."

LMPD provides four MetroSWAP Zones around the city. The locations are outside some of the department's division headquarters, and all are under 24 hour video surveillance.

"They're parking spaces next to each other at a police station where you can go exchange this merchandise, at a police station, and it's on camera," said Matt Sanders, LMPD spokesperson.

With the popularity of Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and other online sites, LMPD said it's important to make sure you don't set yourself up to be robbed or worse.

Police suggest agreeing to only meet the person for any transaction at a MetroSWAP location. The parking lot designates two spots that are marked with signs. Police recommend both parties meet in the parking lot and keep it brief.

LMPD - LOUISVILLE POLICE - METROSWAP ZONE 2ND DIVISION - 11-3-2023 (3).jpeg

Signs are posted for a MetroSWAP Zone at Louisville Metro Police 2nd Division Headquarters at 3419 Bohne Avenue in Louisville, Ky. It is a safe location under surveillance to exchange items being bought and sold online. (WDRB Image by Dalton Godbey) Nov. 3, 2023

They also encourage people to meet during daylight hours, tell someone you trust about when and where you'll be meeting and bring a friend, if possible.

"LMPD is not here to persuade people to not use these apps," Sanders said. "I use them myself, and there's great deals on there, but we want the public to have common sense, we want everybody to be safe so they don't end up with a gun in their face."

Here are the four MetroSWAP locations at LMPD Division offices:

LMPD said the MetroSWAP locations can also be used to exchange custody of a child between parents or guardians, when necessary.

To learn more about the MetroSWAP locations, click here. 

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