Two Penticton men are taking to the streets to expose alleged sexual predators online, prompting a cautionary response from the RCMP.
Mitchell Shelswell, 27, and Tyler Fritsen, 30, are part of the Creep Catcher movement which has them posing as 14-year-old girls on online dating sites and getting men to agree to meet up in public.
Shelswell met founder, Dawson Raymond of Calgary, six months ago when he wanted to get involved, opening up a chapter in Penticton. The two shared some beers in Calgary and quickly became friends.
Shelswell, who works as a pipeliner in Alberta, moved back to Penticton and opened a chapter. The organization has chapters Canada-wide in Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon and St. John, NB. The website for the organization state all persons portrayed are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a lot of crime in this city, a lot of drugs, stuff like that, and unfortunately a lot of gentlemen who are willing to meet up with underaged women for sex,91裸聊视频� Shelswell said.
The two created online personas, consensually using photos of young-looking women. They never initiate a conversation.
91裸聊视频淢en initiate the conversation with me because they see the pic(ture) and guys are just sick,91裸聊视频� Fritsen said. 91裸聊视频淚n the first three sentences I tell them I91裸聊视频檓 14 and most of them say 91裸聊视频榦h, well I91裸聊视频檓 not going to talk to you,91裸聊视频� they block me, report me. And there91裸聊视频檚 some that are like 91裸聊视频榦h, well do you like older men? Have you ever had sex?91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 like 91裸聊视频� jeez.91裸聊视频�
The duo, along with two other friends, plan a meet up and film the interaction, posting the videos and messages online. The goal, they say, isn91裸聊视频檛 to start an altercation, gather evidence or to lay charges 91裸聊视频� rather it is a 91裸聊视频減reventative measure.91裸聊视频�
They met up with one 91裸聊视频渃reep91裸聊视频� at the 24/7 convenience store on May 27, and another just outside Penticton Secondary School.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 shaking when I91裸聊视频檓 standing there asking these guys questions because in my head I want to beat them up, but I know Creep Catcher doesn91裸聊视频檛 want to promote violence, we91裸聊视频檙e just here to expose these guys,91裸聊视频� Fritsen said.
91裸聊视频淚 was definitely nervous (the first time) and even though you91裸聊视频檙e holding the camera you91裸聊视频檝e got to get right up in his face, so you can get him on there,91裸聊视频� Shelswell said. 91裸聊视频淣ot so much nervous anymore after you get a second one.91裸聊视频�
The two are not particularly worried about their safety while confronting strangers, bringing along two other friends, mixed martial arts fighters, they find strength in numbers.
91裸聊视频淲e work as a crew here,91裸聊视频� Fritsen said.
They have not been contacted by the police, but have heard the local police response reported in local media that their actions can possible interfere with investigations.
91裸聊视频淭hey don91裸聊视频檛 investigate until a child has been touched,91裸聊视频� Fritsen said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e just trying to do some preventative measures here.91裸聊视频�
However, Cpl. Dan Moskaluk with the Penticton RCMP is urging caution.
91裸聊视频淭he RCMP does not condone vigilantism and certainly would recommend the public to leave investigations to the police. When you have incidents of this nature occur we91裸聊视频檙e always concerned when people decide to bypass law enforcement efforts and take the law into their own hands,91裸聊视频� Cpl. Dan Moskaluk with the Penticton RCMP said. 91裸聊视频淲hen that happens there is always a risk an investigation could be jeopardized and key evidence could be lost.91裸聊视频�
The RCMP does not condone or recommend the actions of Creep Catcher chapters, Moskaluk said, adding there is a risk to personal safety and the public91裸聊视频檚 safety as well. 91裸聊视频淲e do have an online presence, in this day and age all police services have specialized units that monitor online activity with respect to youth exploitation and sexual exploitation of individuals,91裸聊视频� Moskaluk said. 91裸聊视频淭his work really should be left to police officers to conduct the work in the controlled environment.91裸聊视频�
He recommend those looking to help visit or reporting to police services any suspected child exploitation online.
91裸聊视频淚f you have information that would assist in an investigation or you have suspicions about an individual, by all means simply contact the RCMP. The route that is being taking here with the current practices and online with social media sites is a different kettle of fish and in all likelihood will more hamper an investigation than assist it.91裸聊视频�
