Police in the Canadian province of Quebec have warned the public not to post surveillance footage of stolen packages, saying it could infringe on the “private lives'' of suspected thieves.
“Montreal West is known for its large porches, and during the holiday season, those porches become a big target for thieves and 'porch pirates,'” CTV News Montreal video journalist Olivia O'Malley reported Saturday. Ta.
“This is something we deal with on a daily basis,” said Lauren Small-Pennefather, public safety councilor for Montreal West.
“There are people following cars, and if they see a package that's been dropped off, and no one comes to the door to get it, they go and get it,” Small Pennefather said. told CTV.
However, the province's local police force, the Soulet du Québec (SQ), warned local residents not to share footage of suspected porch thieves.
“You cannot post the image yourself as there is a presumption of innocence in Canada and you have to remember that posting that photo could be an invasion of your private life,” said SQ Public Affairs Officer Lt. Benoît Richard warned.
“If you have evidence that someone may have stolen something, call the police and give them the evidence,” he said.
“We will conduct an investigation, bring the person to justice and file some charges.”
Anyone who posts security footage of packages being stolen could face defamation charges, CTV said.
The Soulete du Québec pointed to Fox News Digital's Articles 35 and 36 of the Quebec Civil Code, which state that “every person has the right to respect for his honor and privacy.” Sent an email. No trespass may be made without the person's consent or unless the trespass is authorized by law. ”
It also said that individuals who disseminate photos of people without their consent could face a variety of civil or criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.
The law enforcement official's comments sparked backlash and disbelief that Canadians could face legal trouble for posting home security footage of their packages being stolen.
“It's 2024, so it stands to reason that police care more about criminals than victims of crime,” Canadian journalist Ezra Levant wrote.
“Quebec police are saying this because they are embarrassed by so many thefts with no consequences,” conservative commentator Chris Tomlinson wrote. ing.
“If you report it to them, they'll file it away and pretend it never happened.”
“The world has gone crazy,” wrote Christina Hoff Sommers, author and host of YouTube's The Factual Feminist.
