Canada's police officials warned citizens about sharing package theft videos online. They said that doing this is not recommended since it violates the privacy of thieves.

Citizens' reactions were mostly negative, saying the law enforcement authorities were probably joking. Some of them even ridiculed cops and said that it's already 2024, and they still prioritize the rights of criminals. 

Canada: Posting Package Thefts Violate Thieves' Privacy, Warns Police—'You're Joking, Right?' Ask Residents

(Photo : SEBASTIEN DUVAL/AFP via Getty Images)
 A camera above the door is used to film possible thieves, by Baltimore resident Rosemarie Dumhart, to discourage the so-called "porch pirates" operating in the Canton area of Baltimore, Maryland, on December 17, 2018.

Their criticisms against the Canadian police are not surprising at all since they are sharing videos of thieves who are stealing their belongings.

But, police officials explained why sharing package thefts is actually against the law.

Canada: Posting Package Thefts Violate Thieves' Privacy, Warns Police

On Saturday, Jan. 6, police in the Canadian province of Quebec said that citizens shouldn't post surveillance videos of package thieves since this violates the private life of these criminals.

Communications officer Lt. Benoit Richard of Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Quebec's local police force, explained why sharing package theft videos is against the law.

"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," said Richard via Fox News.

Instead, the SQ leader suggested providing surveillance videos of alleged porch thieves to law enforcement authorities so that they could do their investigations.

Benoit Richard explained that they would be the ones who would bring these criminals to justice and file charges against them. He warned Canadian residents planning to post porch theft videos that they could face defamation charges.

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Canadians Ask If Police is Joking

Canada: Posting Package Thefts Violate Thieves' Privacy, Warns Police—'You're Joking, Right?' Ask Residents

(Photo : SEBASTIEN DUVAL/AFP via Getty Images)
 Baltimore resident Rosemarie Dumhart uses a decoy package, marked with an X, to discourage the so-called "porch pirates" operating in the Canton area of Baltimore, Maryland, on December 17, 2018. - The thieves are filmed by a camera located above the door.

On Twitter, many Canadians shared their disappointment after hearing Benoit Richard's remarks. Many of them can't believe what he said, asking the police if they are just joking.

Alexandra Lavoie, a French journalist, shared a video of Benoit Richard's interview. In the comment section, many citizens shared their opinions.

One of them said, "this can't be real." Another Canadian netizen explained that thieves had already given up their privacy whenever they showed up on people's porches to steal packages.

Meanwhile, others questioned what Richard said since what he argues should also apply to law enforcement authorities who post pictures of suspected criminals who haven't been found guilty of crimes yet.

Some Canadian citizens became suspicious, saying that this could just be a strategy of cops to hide their inefficiency when it comes to preventing porch thieves.

These are just some of the statements shared by Canadian residents who were disappointed with Benoit Richard's remarks. You can check the X posts below to see more.

 

 

 

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