As you may be aware, January is Crime Stoppers Month across Canada where we seek to inform and remind our communities of the importance using the information you may have in a productive way through the use of TIPs which may provide the kind of information which is valuable to police and others in reducing crime.
Each year, a national theme is developed and supported by our provincial association and local organization. This year, the theme across Canada “Sextortion” as the issue requiring our attention. This issue has gained in importance. Financial Sextortion” is a form of blackmail that involves someone online threatening to send a sexual image or video to other people if you don’t pay them/ It’s a scam and it’s trending.” (Canadian Centred fore Child Protection). The steps to take if you are suspicious of an activity are:
- Do stop the chat
- Do take screenshots of the text and profile
- Do block the account and report it to the platform
- Do report it to cybertip.ca or local police
- Do get support at cybertip.ca
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) is dedicated to reducing online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
While there are other types of crime which are evident in our communities, we are hopeful that this particular crime can be eliminated with your help. Remember, call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
In Central Vancouver Island Crime Stoppers, we are presently working on a project to deal with spike drinks which can inhibit people when drinking with unattended glasses. We will be supplying posters with pictures of this activity taking place to most pubs/bars in our area. As well, we will be supplying coasters for table use on which typical scenes of spike drinks are shown along with ideas on combating this activity and what to do if it happens to you.
Brian Cornborough | President
Central Vancouver Island Crime Stoppers
president@cvicrimestoppers.com
Stay safe, keep your family safe, keep your community safe.