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 OMalley reported on Saturday.
Its 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 thats 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 provinces local police force, the Sret du Qubec (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. Well 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.
The Sret du Qubec sent Fox News Digital an email which pointed to articles 35 and 36 of the Civil Code of Qubec, 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.
They also said individuals who disseminate pictures of a person without consent could face a variety of civil or criminal proceedings depending on the situation.
The comments from the law enforcement officer sparked backlash and disbelief that Canadians could face legal trouble for posting home security footage of their packages being stolen.
Its 2024, so of course the police care more about criminals than victims of crime, Canadian journalist Ezra Levant wrote.
As a non-Canadian, thats fucking stupid
only in QuebecIsn't Quebec mostly run by right-wingers?
Isn't Quebec mostly run by right-wingers?dunno, the province has a party that only exists in Quebec, don't know much about them
...Presumption of innocence? If the video is literally somebody stealing your shit, there is no presumption of innocence.
This is so fucking dumb.
So in Quebec you can commit crimes and not have your reputation ruined?
Nobody calling out that TC obscured the fact the source is a rag (New York Post) with a url shortener link?
As a non-Canadian, thats fucking stupid
I could understand in a "we're trying to avoid vigilantism" way or whatever.
Not so much here.
dunno, the province has a party that only exists in Quebec, don't know much about them
They used to be strongly separatist, but that has died down quite a lot.
Nobody calling out that TC obscured the fact the source is a rag (New York Post) with a url shortener link?
Quebec is quickly becoming my go-to assumption when I click into topics like these. It is usually correct... like guessing some batshit bizarro story in the U.S. took place in Florida.Quebec is literally our Florida, so you aren't wrong.
...Presumption of innocence? If the video is literally somebody stealing your shit, there is no presumption of innocence.
This is so fucking dumb.
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.Their right to privacy got voided when they violated my right to get my fucking package. Fuck them and fuck whatever official had the nerve to say that.