(WWJ) -- Michigan State Police are raising the alarm about a growing number of vigilantes in Michigan, out to trap child predators.
MSP Lt. Liz Rich told WWJ there are several groups of vigilantes across the state that are posing as children online, setting up in-person meet-ups with alleged sexual predators and then recording confrontations. The vigilantes post these videos online in an attempt to shame the alleged predators.
Rich says it's a dangerous trend that's not only growing in Michigan, but all across the country. The vigilantes typically set up meetings at public places like malls or shopping centers.
"If you’re walking out of a shopping center and one of these confrontations happens to take place, there could be some violence that comes along with it," Rich said. "Recently, one of the vigilantes had a firearm that he took with him to the confrontation knowing there could be some violence involved."
Rich said that confrontation took place in the Grand Rapids area.
Not only is it dangerous, Rich says it's not helping police -- they're interfering with any possible prosecution.
"We have trained individuals that have to follow guidelines of how to speak with these individuals, how to gather the evidence and so forth," Rich said.