Hitchhiker's homicide highlights risks of looking for rides online
'We are becoming less aware and too comfortable,' says former police officer
Trying to hitch a ride on the information highway can be as risky as trying to thumb down a car fromthe side of the road. Yet despite the recent slaying of a Belgian tourist who did just that, people continue to flock to social media sites and apps looking for rides.
The body of Amelie Christelle Sakkalis was discovered near Boston Bar northeast of Vancouver, on Aug. 22. Sakkaliswas hitchhiking from Penticton to Vancouver and had used social media to ask forrides and places to stay.
On the day of her death,Sakkalis posted on aFacebook groupcalled Guide duCroutard, for French-speakers in Vancouver. According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, Sakkalis's killingwas not random.
MagaliRobert-Spaggiariarrived in Vancouver from France the first week of September. She is travelling alone and had no qualms about using Guide du Croutardto requesta ride from Vancouver to Port Hardy, on the northern end of Vancouver Island.
"I don't feel like it's dangerous,"Robert-Spaggiaritold CBCNews in French. "I didn't realize it could be a safety issue."
Robert-Spaggiarihad read about Sakkalis's slaying but felt it was safer to go online than stand on the side of the road.
"I feel like online there is at least a digital trace," she said.
No reported incidents
SebastienBianchinhas been an administrator for Guide du Croutard for seven years. He said not one member of the group has said they felt unsafe,but the purpose of the group is to connect the francophone community, not to connect people for rides or accommodation.
Poparide, on the other hand, is an app designed solely to connect drivers and riders in Canadian cities.CEO and co-founder FloDevellennes said the highest volume of users are in B.C., with at least 1,000 Poparideusers travelling every month between Vancouver and Squamish.
- Vancouver-based carpool app makes pitch to replace Greyhound in northern B.C.
- No ride-hailing services in B.C. until late 2019, province says
According to Devellennes, Poparide has never hada safety complaint and administrators would block any users who showed signs of abuse or harassment.
Devellennes said every user's profile picture and personal informationis verified and they are rated by other users. Drivers and riders can refuse offers if they have any concerns.
"Safety is our No. 1 priority we are trying to reduce the need for people to hitchhike," said Devellennes.
Take precautions
Darren Laur, a retired Victoria police officer and founder of social media safety companyPersonal Protection Systems, says people who choose to hitchhike online should use caution.
"Just like the real world, most people [online] are good people, but sometimes you are going to run into people, both online and offline, that aren't," said Laur.
He recommendslooking for more information about people onlineandusingreverse image searchtoolsto make sure the person you are speaking with is not using a stock photo.
Laur said the first time meeting someone should always be in a public place and people should be very careful about the information they share online.
"Because of social media and technology, we are becoming less aware and too comfortable," said Laur.
_(720p).jpg)
 OFFICIAL HD MUSIC VIDEO.jpg)
.jpg)
