In Pembroke, that small handshake icon outside the Ontario Provincial Police detachment quietly changes what it means to show up. Under hard white floodlights and the tireless gaze of security cameras, a plain strip of pavement becomes a promise that no one has to step into the unknown completely alone. Project Safe Trade can’t rewrite human nature, but it can rearrange the odds: it makes it harder to hide bad intentions and easier to act on a bad feeling. The presence of law enforcement nearby turns hesitation into a plan instead of a private fear. For people meeting to exchange cash, keys, or belongings, the message is simple: your safety is not an afterthought. In a world where too many risks stay invisible until it’s too late, that painted handshake is a quiet, persistent reminder that community can choose to watch out for its own.
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