RCMP: Facebook not the venue for reporting crime
By Kyra Hoggan
Local police are reminding residents that social networking sites like Facebook are not the place to report crimes, and that false allegations of criminal activity posted on these sites can have serious repercussions.
This, after a Facebook thread last week reported that a group of men accosted one girl, who allegedly escaped serious harm, while another girl was allegedly raped. The thread (Facebook conversation) also referred to a vigilante-style response that saw two men assaulted as a result of mistaken identity.
“To the best of my knowledge, it’s untrue,” said Castlegar RCMP Cpl. Mike Mysko, adding that posting such reports is not a game, and can have unintended, and unpleasant, consequences.
If any of the allegations are true, he explained, they should be reported to the police immediately – failure to do so is not only irresponsible – it’s against the law – and ultimately puts the entire community at risk.
If the allegations are false, they create a whole new set of concerns, not the least of which includes public distress and suspicion.
“It alarms the community and it produces further problems,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Castlegar RCMP detachment 250-365-7721.
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