By Roger White

Battlefords RCMP warn of online accusations for crime

Oct 13, 2017 | 2:00 PM

While using social media to catch a thief may have paid off for one local business recently, Battleford RCMP warn that such actions can potentially cause more harm than good.

Earlier this month, a business posted pictures on a local Facebook page of someone they believed responsible for stealing from the store in North Battleford.

According to the franchise owner, since the amount of the theft was very small they opted post the individuals face online to see what would transpire, rather than get the RCMP involved and go through paperwork.

“We know the RCMP is busy with more serious crime and didn’t want to bother them for a simple $30 crime, however if we had too we would have,” said the owner. “Our intention was to get someone to fess up and make it right.”

Saying he believed in giving people a second chance, the owner added he didn’t want to see someone get a criminal record for what could have been an error in judgement.

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“I thought whoever stole the items might see themselves online and know they got caught,” he said. “I didn’t need the person’s name, I just wanted the stolen item to be paid for.”

According to the business owner, the thief’s significant other did come into the store and made restitution for the stolen item and said the individual was embarrassed and apologetic and the post was immediately taken down.

Battlefords RCMP Cpl. James Fenrich said accusing someone of a crime on social media can be risky from many standpoints both legally and personally.

“Once the information is posted online, it can stay with you forever,” Fenrich said. “If you’re wrong, you could face civil remedies from the person you are making the allegations against.”

He noted that releasing information in regards to a criminal matter before discussing it with police could hinder a potential investigation.

“The RCMP can’t investigate crimes that haven’t been reported to them,” added Fenrich. “If there are complaints which haven’t been brought to our (RCMP) attention, we want you to report it.”

The internet is inundated with references in regards to cases globally of lawsuits brought about from libelous remarks on social media.

In February, USA Today reported that a false remark on a 2015 Facebook posting that implied a woman got drunk and caused the death of her child resulted in a $500,000 defamation lawsuit settlement.

Fenrich acknowledged that social media has been a useful resource when the RCMP have asked for the public’s assistance in locating missing persons and it is not uncommon for police to issue press releases when an individual has gone missing in hopes that it will spread the word through different mediums.

He said it’s using the internet to catch a criminal that the lines can get blurred.

“If you want to help track down a person and have them arrested on their warrants or if you highly suspect a criminal’s location contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers,” said Fenrich.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW