Officials encouraging safe online dating app practices

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The robbery and assault at Lampkin Park has officials talking about safety when it comes to meeting people on dating apps.

Safety with dating apps can be tough.

The whole point of the app is meeting new people but putting safety first when going on that first date is worth the work.

Officials are even thanking a recent robbery victim for her sharp eye and quick thinking that helped put three young men in jail. They are accused of using a social media app to meet her and carry out a robbery.

Protecting yourself from perpetrators is an unfortunate task that people have to do to stay safe.

“Your safety is a priority and you should never feel bad for setting your own boundaries,” Hope Harbor executive director Melissa Whitley said.

Whitley also favors using a buddy system when heading out to meet someone in person after first talking to them online.

Bowling Green Police Officer Ronnie Ward advises people to “think like it will happen to you… it’s not being paranoid it’s just safety.”

Ward also these safety precautions also apply to people buying and selling on the internet.