Hardcore Scanner Action group called out for identifying victims

A Facebook page that is posting information overheard on police scanners is revealing too much private informationand ispushing the boundaries of free speech, according to critics.

While scanner and so-callednewschaser groups exist in many communities, the invitation-only Hardcore Scanner Action group in Fredericton takes things a step further than most.

People on the page postdetailed information from scanner calls, including the names of alleged victims and those being investigated or accused of crimes.

Sheena DeMerchant, aSt. Thomas University social work student, said shebelieves there is too much information being circulated on the site.

"Not everybody wants their business on the internet," said DeMerchant.

"So it is holding people back from asking for help."

The social work student said when people are reaching out for help, they don't expect the entire community to learn about their problems.

It is holding people back from asking for help.- Sheena DeMerchant, STU social work student

"Next thing you know they're being called out ontheir personal life," she said.

"Often times it has nothing to do with the incident that was phoned in."

DeMerchant and her social workclassmates had a class discussion about the issue and DeMerchant said all 51 studentshave concerns about how personal details are being shared, especially when it comes to identifying alleged victimsand want the page shut down.

"It's making their situation public," she said.

"If they don't already have enough to deal with, then let's have the whole community know about their business."

The administrator ofHardcoreScanner Action declined a request for interview.

Pushing boundaries

Michael Camp, a STU journalism professor, said hebelieves posting such information online is taking the right to free speech too far.

"We have free speech in Canada and theinternetgives us huge opportunities to exercise that right,but we have to remember that it needs to be responsible speechaswell," said Camp.

"It can't be a licence to stick it to whoever you want to."

Following the manhunt for RCMP killer Justin Bourque in June 2014, police approached Dave Mantin of The Daily News Network pages on Facebook and asked the administrator to stop posting names and addresses heard on scanners.

"We all decided that it made sense not be giving out the personal information, although it is heard on the scanner," said Mantin.

TheRCMPand Fredericton Police say they do not have the power to policescanner and newschasergroups.

Both police forcessaythelegality of sharing police scanner informationis governed by theRadiocommunication Act. Industry Canada has told CBC News it is lookinginto whether posting scanner information on invitation-only Facebook groups is in contravention of the act.