SANTEE, S.C. — With the holiday season around the corner, local law enforcement agencies in Orangeburg County are encouraging residents to use public spaces to meet up with sellers from online marketplaces.
One of those public spaces to meet up with an online seller in Orangeburg County is the parking lot of the Santee Police Service building.
During business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, locals are welcome to use this parking lot, which has cameras installed.
Santee Police Chief Joseph Serrano says daylight is the best time for a meeting.
"It's safer to do it during daylight hours when they're a lot of people out moving around. Meeting at night is very, very dangerous,” Serrano said. “You don't know what you're going to get, and that's when the bad element, for lack of a better word, is going to be out trying to scam people. We don't have a problem with people meeting in our parking lot but during business hours. During daylight hours is the best time."
Lieutenant Kevin Borghi encourages buyers to do their homework on sellers before meeting up.
"Try do as much research about the seller as you can,” Borghi said. “Check their profile, see how old their profile is. If they just created it yesterday, and they’re selling something at 75% off retail, it’s probably best you should avoid it. But I would meet still in a public place during business hours."
Law enforcement in Santee is also asking for people to not leave valuable items in their vehicles when staying at hotels.