The EPS partnered with TELUS to equip four police stations with Buy and Sell Exchange Zones for citizens to safely complete their in-person online sale or purchase transactions
EDMONTON, Alberta, Sept. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) and TELUS announce the availability of four Buy and Sell Exchange Zones across the city to help citizens safely complete their online transactions. Located at police stations across Edmonton and equipped with 24/7 video surveillance, these Exchange Zones offer a safer place for buyers and sellers to meet. In March 2020, the EPS launched its first Buy and Sell Exchange Zone with TELUS at EPS’ Southwest Division. The pilot proved successful and, thanks to TELUS’ commitment to provide the technology required, three additional EPS divisions are now outfitted with two Buy and Sell Exchange Zone parking stalls.
“Over the past year, I’ve regularly seen members of the public using the stalls at our Southwest Division. I believe people are using them because of the location and the feeling of safety and security it provides,” says Superintendent Tom Pallas with EPS’ Southwest Division. “We would like to recognize TELUS for their partnership in this initiative and thank them for helping us bring safer options to our community when engaging in online purchases.”
“At TELUS, online privacy and security are paramount, and this initiative is just another way we’re helping to keep citizens in our communities safe when their online exchanges become face-to-face interactions,” said Ibrahim Gedeon, Chief Technology Officer at TELUS. “As a technology leader, we feel it’s our duty to support our community and leverage our world-leading emerging technologies to improve the lives of Edmontonians.”
“The EPS is very conscious of public concerns on privacy, especially on the topic of public CCTV. Although these stalls are surveilled by video cameras, they are not being monitored 24/7,” explains Superintendent Warren Driechel with EPS’ Information Technology Division. “The only time we would access these video streams would be in response to an event or incident that occurred at one of these sites, or in relation to an investigation coming from an exchange that occurred there.”
The following police station parking lots have Buy and Sell Exchange Zones:
Superintendent Driechel added, “In 2020, EPS investigators made 20 arrests, laid 59 charges, and recovered $44,000 worth of stolen property through online buy and sell sites. The EPS also received 276 reports of buy and sell scams with a total financial loss of $35,680. These recorded stalls are intended to deter such crimes and provide citizens with a safe alternative when meeting someone for the first time to complete the purchase and exchange of items that were listed online.”
The EPS encourages citizens to learn more about online classifieds safety before conducting any transactions.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $16 billion in annual revenue and 16 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. We leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. In 2020, TELUS was recognized as having the fastest wireless network in the world, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better. TELUS Health is Canada’s leader in digital health technology, improving access to health and wellness services and revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes. TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital customer experience innovator that delivers next-generation AI and content management solutions for global brands across the technology and games, ecommerce and FinTech, communications and media, healthcare, travel and hospitality sectors. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 25+ countries around the world. Together, let’s make the future friendly.
Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all citizens for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to contribute more than $820 million and 1.6 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
Chelsey Rajzer
TELUS Media Relations
Chelsey.Rajzer@telus.com
Landis Reichle
Communications Advisor, Edmonton Police Service
Landis.Reichle@edmontonpolice.ca
