(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)

Craigslist.com in a community forum for residents to buy and sell items.

Selling and buying items through Craigslist and other websites can generate quick cash and good deals, but it can also be dangerous. Police departments across the Valley have reported cases of people being robbed and ripped off.

That’s why Tempe Councilmember Kolby Granville has proposed an “Internet Sales Exchange Zone” inside police headquarters at 120 E. 5th Street, just across from city hall.

If approved, a sign would be placed in the lobby designating the exchange zone. It would be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After one year the city would evaluate whether to continue or expand the program. 

According to a city report, there are currently no local cities that have created an Internet sales transaction zone. The Arizona State University Police Department has designated space in its Tempe lobby for students and university employees to complete online sales during weekday business hours.  

That "Online Exchange Zone" is located at 325 E. Apache Boulevard in Tempe.