HACKENSACK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office asked the public to stop posing as children online in an attempt to lure pedophiles for YouTube videos on Thursday.
This style of vigilante pedophile hunting has become a popular form of schadenfreude-driven entertainment on YouTube and other video platforms. The content creators often model their makeshift stings after “To Catch a Predator,” the television show in which Chris Hansen would confront pedophiles with law enforcement waiting nearby.
The Prosecutor's Office said the county has experienced several incidents in which vigilante pedophile hunters attempt to set up half-baked sting operations and then involve law enforcement at the last minute for their YouTube channels in recent months.
“Bergen County law enforcement strongly discourages this activity, which holds the potential for violence and injury to the individuals involved as well as innocent bystanders,” said the BCPO in a statement. “It also jeopardizes the due process rights of potential targets, puts private citizens in danger, and risks involving law enforcement in illegal activity.”
Officials warned the county will start pursuing charges against anyone who breaks the law while pursuing pedophiles and that the vigilantes could be opening themselves up to civil liability as well.
Related
Related
Related
