MOOSE JAW - The Moose Jaw Police Service is reminding residents to think twice about posting unverified information online after the agency received reports about an alleged suspicious occurrence downtown.
On Sept. 11, police received a report about a suspicious vehicle and individual who allegedly approached a minor in the downtown core.
Through the investigation, officers acquired video surveillance footage from businesses in the area. After reviewing the video footage, police located the vehicle and occupants in the reported location and verified that no attempted abduction took place.
Police learned that the individual was in the area for a business purpose and was carrying a white envelope and a cell phone. Therefore, officers ruled out any reports of a weapon.
Meanwhile, residents began posting messages on social media platforms about this individual and the vehicle and included information about what this alleged person looked like.
“The MJPS would like to thank the citizens of Moose Jaw for bringing their concerns and reports forward to the police. The community’s patience through this process was appreciated,” the agency said.
“Although the MJPS appreciates the value of the public sharing information through social media that may warn citizens about potential dangers, we encourage people posting to refrain from making assumptions surrounding the circumstances of an incident,” the organization added.
“We ask the public to report concerns directly to the police for follow-up and verification.”