RCMP are investigating allegations of child luring in Hope, after an online video was circulated on social media.
Hope RCMP Staff Sgt. Karol Rehdner noted that the RCMP is looking for more information.
“We have the information in front of us that has been presented to us that we've seen, so based on that we are conducting an investigation. Where that takes us, who knows?” said Rehdner. “We'll follow the evidence and see where that leads us.”
Rehdner noted that as of Nov. 3 that they have not received any complaints from the original poster or anyone involved.
Rehdner warns against the public taking matters into their own hands, stating that people might not have the “full scope of what it is that's going on.”
“There's always a concern for vigilantism, people get frustrated with crime and this obviously being a crime involving youth, children, that really gets members of the general public, upset, rightfully — I'm not suggesting that this is a crime that you don't get upset about,” said Rehdner. “But their anger may become blinding.
“And then the commentary that can get going in social media just whips up the frenzy or furor of people that may or may not watch the video — they just read the postings and they make their conclusions based on what other people have stated.”
He further warns that vigilantism puts people who may or may not have done anything wrong in jeopardy.
“And when you don't have a complaint that follows up this posting, it may put some person, an innocent person, it may put them in some jeopardy,” said Rehdner.