Lac La Biche RCMP and police across the Lakeland region are urging parents to take an active role in their children's online habits after the mother of a 10-year-old girl reported an inappropriate conversation her daughter had been involved with.
Police says that on Aug. 7 they began a file after a mother reported that her daughter had complained to her about an online conversation that seemed inappropriate. The police investigation determined that it had been a group of young children having an online conversation of a sexual nature in a group chat and no further action was taken.
"However, the RCMP would like to remind parents and children of the possible dangers involving social media and online chats, and ask that parents take the proper precautions to ensure their children's safety," said Lac La Biche RCMP Corp. Roxanne Genereaux.
To find more resources about cyber issues and children or to report troubling online sites, Genereaux suggested several resources for parents or guardians, including the Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868 / www.kidshelpphone.ca and the Cybertip Tipline: www.cybertip.ca
Boaters OK
On Aug. 1, Lac La Biche RCMP along with Lac La Biche Fire Department and Emergency services were called to Pinehurst Lake for a boat that had capsized. Two individuals, a 46-year-old male and a 22-year-old female were able to swim to shore and did not sustain any injuries.
Shots heard
The same day, Lac La Biche RCMP received two calls for “shots fired” in the Bonesville subdivision five kilometres south of the Lac La Biche hamlet. Members attended, made several patrols and neighbourhood inquiries, as well as a search of a residence in the area, but no suspects or firearms were located. No one was injured.
Church crime
On Aug. 2, Lac La Biche RCMP were dispatched to a break and enter complaint at the St. Andrew's Anglican Church on Churchill Drive in Lac La Biche. Police say there was no damage to the church and no items appeared to have been taken. The investigation into the complaint is ongoing and police have no suspects at this time.
Facebook nudes
On Aug. 6, a 21-year-old male reported being blackmailed on Facebook after sending “nudes” to an individual through the social networking app. The matter is still under investigation, and police say there is no suspect at this time.
Lac La Biche RCMP responded to 153 calls for service in the first nine days of August. Of those calls, 25 were relating to domestic and family violence, 16 were reports where intoxicated persons were brought into custody; and seven were calls for wellbeing checks. Police urge anyone with information about any of the crimes in the police report to contact their local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
