THUNDER BAY – Crimebeat – “Speculative statements made through social media are just that, speculative” – That is the message from the Thunder Bay Police Service responding to a posting made online calling down the efforts of the police in their investigation of crimes against Aboriginal people in Thunder Bay.
The Thunder Bay Police Service state that they are “Aware of statements posted on YouTube and Twitter regarding the ongoing investigation into an abduction and sexual assault which was reported to the T.B.P.S. in late December of 2012 in the city’s north end”.
The online comments, allegedly made from a group called AnonymousNewsCanada state, “We have set up a secret nest right within the house of indignity that is Thunder Bay police headquarters. We see your piles of worthless paperwork relating to the kidnapping”.
The anonymous group is claiming that police do no care. The statements will do little to improve relations between Thunder Bay Police and the Aboriginal community in the city. Nishnawbe-Aski Nation recently organized a community safety forum to work to bring First Nations and the Police closer together. The Thunder Bay police are being investigated by the OPP and the Sudbury Police over a series of incidents. One involving an Aboriginal student’s complain that he was driven out of the city by police officers in December 2012.
In a media statement, the Police say, “The investigation referenced in the postings is still ongoing. As with any open case, police are limited in what they can comment on regarding the progress or nature of the investigation”.
The TBPS comment that “Comments can be posted on social media sites which very often can not be verified or substantiated. Misleading statements regarding alleged crimes can offer little assistance to investigators. The Thunder Bay Police Service encourages anyone with information on a crime to contact police directly. If you have information and wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers is the ideal way to provide police with information.
Thunder Bay Police can be reached at 684-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 623-8477 or tipsubmit.com. Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward for anonymous information that helps solve this or any other crime.
“The members of the Thunder Bay Police Service work on behalf of the victims of crime,” conclude the police.
