CALGARY- A Facebook group called “Creature Sightings” that cruelly mocks homeless people has been shut down and is now the focus of a police investigation.
The Calgary-based group posted pictures and video of disadvantaged people, whom they called “creatures”. The posts were frequently accompanied by derogatory comments.
One post had a photo of what appears to be an illegal drug, with the comment “Using live bait is not permitted this creature season.”
Another post showed two teenagers pretending to ingest hand sanitizer with the caption, “Ugh, alcohol-free, but still tastes good.” A comment on the photo read: “It’s like that .05% beer, only for creatures.”
Calgary police say the investigation began after they received several complaints. They are reviewing the videos and photos on the page to determine whether charges should be laid.
Police are also reviewing the case to see if charges could be laid under hate crime legislation.
“We certainly would not want to marginalize our vulnerable population.” says Surbek. “Any time a behavior like that that is morally, totally wrong, it is certainly our job to look into any legal repercussions.”
“Creature Sightings” draws Facebook backlash
A number of people posted comments on the page attacking it for making fun of disadvantaged people.
One person wrote: “All this group is does is shame people who are ‘creatures’, passed out in public/private areas. You’re trying to sound all sophisticated … but in reality you know what’s wrong with what you’re doing.”
Another wrote: “So what? It’s better to make fun of them and shame them rather than offer help or offer a smile?”
Another comment read: “So taking a video of a disabled person talking, or taking a video of someone having troubles moving down the street is okay? You honestly think that it’s okay to take pictures of people passed out? They might not be homeless. You don’t know their situation. You’re the loser for doing something like this.”
Facebook removes “Creature Sightings” page
Facebook shut down the page after receiving a number of complaints. The group had more than 200 members, many of them high school and university students.
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