Getting deals online may become safer in Michiana. One local sheriff's department is responding to what they cite as a string of online scams with classified sites like Craigslist.

According to Captain Michael Kellems of the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, the force will be offering up the use of their lobby as a safe place to make exchanges arranged online.

That means when you are meeting up with someone from an online website to exchange products, you can do so at any time in the presence of a La Porte County Sheriff.

"We are pleased to offer this to the public," said Cpt. Kellems. "The Sheriff's Office is charged with making the public safe and this opportunity is a pro-active step in that direction."

Because the building is staffed 24 hours a day, it's a safe move for both parties involved.

Departments around the country are offering up their stations as safe havens after a Georgia couple was killed in late January when meeting up with a car seller from Craigslist.

The La Porte Sheriff's Office lobby is located on the main floor of the County Complex.