A senior staffer at Langley Township was videotaped by a 91Ƶcreep catcher91Ƶ organization in Surrey after allegedly engaging in inappropriate online conversations with someone he thought was an underage teen girl.
The Safe Child Coalition, formerly known as Surrey Creep Catchers (SCC), videotaped a conversation with Bob Andrews, the economic development coordinator at the Township.
On the video, Andrews acknowledges that he had a series of online conversations with someone he thought was a girl. Andrews says he thought she was 18.
Screen captures of text conversations, allegedly between Andrews and the girl, show them discussing her turning 14.
91ƵI know that it was a stupid thing to do,91Ƶ Andrews says on the video, posted on the SCC website.
He said he made an appointment to meet the girl, 91Ƶand then I sent a message to her and said that I wouldn91Ƶt.91Ƶ
91ƵThursday night, I started thinking what am I doing, I shouldn91Ƶt even be doing that,91Ƶ Andrews said on the video.
Ryan LaForge, head of the SCC, confirmed that he met and spoke to Andrews at Surrey91Ƶs Guildford Shopping Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
91ƵHe was there to give his side of the story as to his part in communications with a 13-year-old child 91Ƶ not to meet,91Ƶ LaForge wrote in an email to the Langley Advance Times.
The 91Ƶgirl91Ƶ was LaForge using an online alias, he said.
On the video, Andrews speaks for nearly half an hour to LaForge.
Surrey RCMP were unaware of a report being made to police of the incident, said spokesperson Cpl. Elenore Sturko.
LaForge said he would be sending information to the police.
Andrews is currently on leave from his job at the Township, according to Steve Scheepmaker, director of corporate administration at the Township.
91ƵWe recognize the seriousness of what has been alleged, and the Township will take steps, as appropriate, having regard for due process and in consideration of its role as an employer, the public interest, and the privacy rights of individuals,91Ƶ Scheepmaker said in an email to the Advance Times.
91ƵTo our knowledge, there is no related RCMP investigation but the Township would cooperate fully if requested by the RCMP.91Ƶ
The Advance Times attempted to contact Andrews by email and phone, but was unsuccessful.
The video was apparently posted Wednesday by LaForge, .
LaForge said in a 2016 interview that he and other SCC members pose as children online, arrange to meet adults who think they91Ƶve been communicating with a child, and videotape the confrontations.
LaForge stemming from attempted 91Ƶcitizen91Ƶs arrests91Ƶ of Creep Catcher targets in 2017, and he announced he would be pulling back from attempts to arrest people, but would not end the stings.
Some of the stings have resulted in police investigations, charges, and even convictions, including that of , who pleaded guilty to breach of trust after a 2016 sting.
The group has drawn criticism from police and some government officials for its tactics.