New way to catch predators

Photo: CHC Society

Screen grab of new app by Creep Hunters Canada Society.

Creep Hunters Canada Society is working with developers to create an app that will make it easier to catch predators, in real time.

The new app, which is being created in collaboration with Google developers, will allow police departments to view chats as they are occurring, according to Executive Director Brendon Brady.

Currently, CHC Society uses a decoy that talks with the alleged predators online and passes the chat logs and information on to law enforcement for them to decide if an arrest should be made.

The new app will allow officers to monitor the entire chat as it is taking place.

"We are hoping it is going to cut down on the amount of time it takes to go through the court system because they will be able to actually view the chat logs in real time,” said Brady. “Police could take over the investigation at any point they wish.”

The app will first be tested in the U.S. in just a few weeks and then, Brady hopes the Canadian law enforcement will want to utilize it.

“We are excited to have these Google developers help us with this process,” he said. “We are going to do a test run down there and see how it goes and then take it from there.”

Brady said a lot of people want to get involved in catching predators and with this app, individuals can volunteer their time to help.

“When a borderless internet community comes together, good things happen,” he said.

CHC Society is a registered non-profit organization that assists police departments with tracking alleged online predators.