The Chatham-Kent Police Service are investigating after a disturbing video appeared during a Zoom meeting held for the ‘May 16th Miracle‘ food drive.
“Last night, police received information that a local Zoom meeting involving over 200 people discussing the upcoming Miracle Day Food Drive was hacked and a disturbing video was shown,” police officials said in a press release.
“Members of our Criminal Investigations Branch and Internet Child Exploitation Unit have taken over the investigation. Officers are concerned for the safety of those in the video and are working with federal and provincial law enforcement agencies to identify them along with those responsible for sharing the content.”
Police officials added: “We would like to remind everyone that accessing or possessing child pornography and luring are serious criminal offences that may be punishable by imprisonment.”
James Rasmussen, one of the organizers for the ‘May 16th Miracle’ event, said the incident was a “grotesque act of hacking.
“All organizers of this event in our wildest dreams never imagined this would happen and we acknowledge that this was extremely difficult for those that were on the call,” Rasmussen said in an email, on behalf of their leadership team, adding that Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn reached out to the group immediately.
Const. Renee Cowell, public information officer, provided a statement about the incident to the media. Listen, below:
Police officials say anyone with information regarding last night’s zoom meeting is urged to contact Constable Cole Abbott at colea@chatham-kent.ca or 519-380-6024.
“If anyone would like to further discuss the incident, please know that members of Chatham-Kent Victim Services are available,” police officials say.
Victim Services can be contacted at https://ckvictimservices.com/ or 519-436-6630.
“Video meetings are a great way to stay connected right now, but we want everyone to stay safe while doing so,” police officials said.
“Please see (the documents below) regarding best practices for securing a Zoom meeting.”
