Despite growing criticism, the Surrey Creep Catchers say they will continue pursuing suspected pedophiles and it wants to offer them help too.
Creep Catchers is a network of vigilantes that attempts to bait potential pedophiles and confront them in person, all with the cameras rolling.
On Wednesday, the group came under fire for an incident in Kelowna. According to Jane Dyson of Disabilities Alliance BC, the man shown in one of the videos said he has the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.
“He misunderstood what he was getting into. I understand that he reported himself to the police and to his case worker,” Dyson said.
READ MORE: Surrey creep catchers targets online pedophiles through vigilantism
Creep Catchers remain defiant about the incident, but Shoni Bee, a Kelowna chapter member, said they are now looking to offer help to individuals they encounter.
“We’re trying to get resources and things like that for counselling, phone numbers, people they can call to get help,” Bee said.
Police and others have made it clear they do not condone the group’s vigilantism.
Bee insists they’re doing important work.
“There have been people we’ve caught that have been bus drivers or ones that work around children and if it weren’t for the videos, nobody would know,” she said.
The president of the Surrey Chapter, Ryan LaForge, confirms Creep Catchers are receiving donations, though he would not disclose a total amount to Global News.
– With files from Jill Slattery
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