Quebec Police warn not to violate privacy of alleged package thieves by posting videos

[Vinson]

Sick !!

Canadian police warn that posting videos of alleged package thieves could be ‘violation' of their privacy

'You cannot post the images yourself because you have to remember, in Canada, we have a presumption of innocence,' the police officer warned

Police in the Canadian province of Quebec warned citizens against posting surveillance footage of their packages being stolen because it could violate the "private life" of the alleged thieves.

"Montreal West is known for its large porches, but around the holidays, those porches are a big target for thieves or ‘porch pirates,’" CTV News Montreal videojournalist Olivia O’Malley reported on Saturday. "It's something we deal with on a daily basis," said Montreal West councilor responsible for public security Lauren Small-Pennefather.

"You have people that are following the vehicles, and when they see a parcel that's dropped off, they then go and take the parcel if nobody comes to the door to retrieve the parcel," Small-Pennefather told CTV.

However, the province’s local police force, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) warned local citizens against sharing footage of alleged porch thieves.

"You cannot post the images yourself because you have to remember, in Canada, we have a presumption of innocence and posting that picture could be a violation of private life," SQ communications officer Lt. Benoit Richard warned.

"If you get some proof that somebody might have stolen something, call the police, give that proof to the police," he said. "We'll do the investigation, bring that person to justice and file some charges."

People who post security footage of their packages being stolen could face potential defamation charges, according to CTV.

Canadian police warn that posting videos of alleged package thieves could be ‘violation' of their privacy

A provincial police officer, Lt. Benoit Richard warned Canadian citizens against posting video footage of alleged porch thefts, because it could violate the thieves' privacy.

www.foxnews.com

 

[Paprika]

I'm sure they will put all their best guys on investigating your stolen package.

If he's so worried about privacy, why is officer Benoit Dichard posting with his real name?

 

[Boss Nass]

Fuck that guy. And twice on Sundays.

 

[Redbag]

"You cannot post the images yourself because you have to remember, in Canada, we have a presumption of innocence and posting that picture could be a violation of private life," SQ communications officer Lt. Benoit Richard warned.

Yet police departments post captured images of crime suspects during press releases and on their X accounts so why is that ok?

"If you get some proof that somebody might have stolen something, call the police, give that proof to the police," he said. "We'll do the investigation, bring that person to justice and file some charges."

I translate that as we'd prefer you not share with the public how much crime is really going on in your neighbourhood because it makes us look bad- and as long as no one was injured we'll file the report in the we don't give a shit drawer.

 

[Jenesis]

The “ defamation charge” would be a civil charge. Meaning the guy was identified as the guy who stole your package would have to go to court and prove it wasn’t him.

Plus / I am pretty sure you would actually have to identify the person in your post online or else it is just a video of private property at that point.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Maybe the cops are stealing the packages?

 

[tastingyou]

Sick !!

Canadian police warn that posting videos of alleged package thieves could be ‘violation' of their privacy

'You cannot post the images yourself because you have to remember, in Canada, we have a presumption of innocence,' the police officer warned

Police in the Canadian province of Quebec warned citizens against posting surveillance footage of their packages being stolen because it could violate the "private life" of the alleged thieves.

"Montreal West is known for its large porches, but around the holidays, those porches are a big target for thieves or ‘porch pirates,’" CTV News Montreal videojournalist Olivia O’Malley reported on Saturday. "It's something we deal with on a daily basis," said Montreal West councilor responsible for public security Lauren Small-Pennefather.

"You have people that are following the vehicles, and when they see a parcel that's dropped off, they then go and take the parcel if nobody comes to the door to retrieve the parcel," Small-Pennefather told CTV.

However, the province’s local police force, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) warned local citizens against sharing footage of alleged porch thieves.

"You cannot post the images yourself because you have to remember, in Canada, we have a presumption of innocence and posting that picture could be a violation of private life," SQ communications officer Lt. Benoit Richard warned.

"If you get some proof that somebody might have stolen something, call the police, give that proof to the police," he said. "We'll do the investigation, bring that person to justice and file some charges."

People who post security footage of their packages being stolen could face potential defamation charges, according to CTV.

Canadian police warn that posting videos of alleged package thieves could be ‘violation' of their privacy

A provincial police officer, Lt. Benoit Richard warned Canadian citizens against posting video footage of alleged porch thefts, because it could violate the thieves' privacy.

www.foxnews.com

Sometimes the way that the law protects obvious criminals makes me puke.

 

[Joyrection]

The Sûreté du Québec sent Fox News Digital an email which pointed to articles 35 and 36 of the Civil Code of Québec, which state "every person has a right to the respect of his reputation and privacy," and that "the privacy of a person may not be invaded without the consent of the person or without the invasion being authorized by law."

Would just ignore this officer's advice as it only applies to Quebec where they go by the Civil Code and Penal Code vs what the rest of Canada does. So the rest of us can carryon.

 

[Jenesis]

Would just ignore this officer's advice as he clearly does not understand the laws he is supposed to uphold.

I agree. Against, the way it is written, the scare tactic of a defamation charge, when really that is only a civil charge and on top of that, a person has to actually be identified incorrectly. If it is the actual porch pirate, then they have no grounds because they are the actual person doing the crime.

 

[Joyrection]

I agree. Against, the way it is written, the scare tactic of a defamation charge, when really that is only a civil charge and on top of that, a person has to actually be identified incorrectly. If it is the actual porch pirate, then they have no grounds because they are the actual person doing the crime.

I did a correction. Quebec Laws are different from the rest of Canada.

 

[Conil]

"You cannot post the images yourself because you have to remember, in Canada, we have a presumption of innocence and posting that picture could be a violation of private life," SQ communications officer Lt. Benoit Richard warned.

Yet police departments post captured images of crime suspects during press releases and on their X accounts so why is that ok?

"If you get some proof that somebody might have stolen something, call the police, give that proof to the police," he said. "We'll do the investigation, bring that person to justice and file some charges."

I translate that as we'd prefer you not share with the public how much crime is really going on in your neighbourhood because it makes us look bad- and as long as no one was injured we'll file the report in the we don't give a shit drawer.

I agree with this, we always see images posted by the cops.

 

[NotADcotor]

The Sûreté du Québec sent Fox News Digital an email which pointed to articles 35 and 36 of the Civil Code of Québec, which state "every person has a right to the respect of his reputation and privacy," and that "the privacy of a person may not be invaded without the consent of the person or without the invasion being authorized by law."

Would just ignore this officer's advice as it only applies to Quebec where they go by the Civil Code and Penal Code vs what the rest of Canada does. So the rest of us can carryon.

You can't have an expectation of privacy when doing something in public, both by law in most places and by just functioning Ape logic. Doesn't take a Dr Zaius to see that.
If that was the case nobody could broadcast news with people in the background. Any footage of riots, illegal. Footage of children banging pots and pans while marching down the street would also be illegal. Protest footage in the news, nope.
Obviously the cop doesn't have any understanding of the law.

Also yes presumption of innocence, but as long as you don't put anything on the footage saying the guy broke the law, you should be fine. It's just the facts, not a claim one way or the other.

Aside from the actual wrongness of what the cop said [granted I don't know Quebec Ape law but still, pretty sure, and if he is right, again it's applied extremely inconsistently] his attitude is disturbing.

Criminals and Butt Metal, death to all of them. [Butt metal in particular]

 

[Leimonis]

You can't have an expectation of privacy when doing something in public, both by law in most places and by just functioning Ape logic. Doesn't take a Dr Zaius to see that.
If that was the case nobody could broadcast news with people in the background. Any footage of riots, illegal. Footage of children banging pots and pans while marching down the street would also be illegal. Protest footage in the news, nope.
Obviously the cop doesn't have any understanding of the law.

Also yes presumption of innocence, but as long as you don't put anything on the footage saying the guy broke the law, you should be fine. It's just the facts, not a claim one way or the other.

Aside from the actual wrongness of what the cop said [granted I don't know Quebec Ape law but still, pretty sure, and if he is right, again it's applied extremely inconsistently] his attitude is disturbing.

Criminals and Butt Metal, death to all of them. [Butt metal in particular]

I just looked s. 36 of the Civil Code of Québec up and the cop is even more of an idiot than we thought:

36. The following acts, in particular, may be considered as invasions of the privacy of a person:
(1) entering or taking anything in his dwelling;
(2) intentionally intercepting or using his private communications;
(3) appropriating or using his image or voice while he is in private premises;
(4) keeping his private life under observation by any means;
(5) using his name, image, likeness or voice for a purpose other than the legitimate information of the public;
(6) using his correspondence, manuscripts or other personal documents.

The thief is clearly in breach of all this stuff. Jesus H christ, this cop is a fucking clown...

 

[DesRicardo]

Meanwhile, in America.......

 

[Leimonis]

Meanwhile, in America.......

I was hoping for some education too lol

 

[tris_82]

Post freely and make no allegations, caption it "Stranger took my package", which is an undeniable fact. Anyone watching it will make their own obvious conclusion. Solved.

 

[NotADcotor]

(5) using his name, image, likeness or voice for a purpose other than the legitimate information of the public;


The thief is clearly in breach of all this stuff. Jesus H christ, this cop is a fucking clown...

I'd say article 5 clearly applies here also, letting the public know about thieving cunts.


I suspect the cop was just speaking for his political overlords/to curry favor with them.

 

[K Douglas]

So now we're more concerned about privacy rights of porch pirates than the rights of victims to help try and identify these thieves. Canada is truly upside down.

 

[lomotil]

The likely hood of “porch pirate” criminals “worrying about a violation of their private life” when committing a crime caught on video, then prosecuting someone for posting the video and the person who posted getting convicted is very nearly zero.
It is the risk that a criminal takes that they might get caught or video surveillance of the crime might be posted online FFS !

 

[Vinson]

Meanwhile, in America.......

No shit, maybe having a large dog chase and bite him too