Strange World

[xman]

Just thought I'd share the oddness. This girl is gonna have stories to tell I'm sure.

globeandmail.com: Vancouver newborn put up for sale on Craigslist

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[Kenrup]

I agree, oddness. Some folks have a "unique" sense of humor.

[Chimensch]

On the other hand ...

"After Vancouver police tracked the number provided to a downtown apartment, 10 officers - including members of the vice squad who have experience with human trafficking - descended on the suite."

I guess it was a slow crime day in Vancouver if they could afford to send TEN officers for what is probably just silliness.

[Creel]

shocking! babies should only be sold from 3rd world countries to affluent 1st world celebs.
Don't these people know the protocol?

[Ookla]

I guess it was a slow crime day in Vancouver if they could afford to send TEN officers for what is probably just silliness.

In my opinion, it should be treated as if they were serious. Most practical jokers won't use their actual phone number, unless they are very dumb. Coupled with the seven-day old baby in the apartment, I'd say they acted appropriately.

Crimes involving children, real or hoax, need to be dealt with quickly and seriously.

[Bruno]

Young babies are not that resilient. One day without food and chances are they're dead.
Since it was completely unknown what the real situation was, I think they were right in going en-masse.
That way, if they'd had to split up if the parents were not at home, they'd have a much better chance of finding them.

And after reading the article, I have to say I didn't think it was funny at all:
following comes from the article:

"But, of course, why was it posted in the first place with a phone number? There's so many questions here. It's very disturbing on many levels."

The mother and father are known to police and "both have had drug addiction problems in the past," he said. Police have not released their names.

I would not automatically believe their story, and imo this situation needs long term social services follow up.

[Chimensch]

In my opinion, it should be treated as if they were serious. Most practical jokers won't use their actual phone number, unless they are very dumb. Coupled with the seven-day old baby in the apartment, I'd say they acted appropriately.

Crimes involving children, real or hoax, need to be dealt with quickly and seriously.

This is the part I agree with. What I thought was funny was that they sent TEN officers. Wouldn't it have made more sense, for example, to have an officer call the number and ask to set up a meeting, such as, "is the baby still available". If the answer was "yes" then do a regular sting, and you have evidence. Now, I don't think the police have much of a case.

[xman]

This is the part I agree with. What I thought was funny was that they sent TEN officers. Wouldn't it have made more sense, for example, to have an officer call the number and ask to set up a meeting, such as, "is the baby still available". If the answer was "yes" then do a regular sting, and you have evidence. Now, I don't think the police have much of a case.

They've got a total case. Human trafficking is totally illegal. I can't walk around threatening to rape people and say, "I was only joking", in my defense and get away with it. It was a dumb mistake and they are in deep trouble for it.

I support exactly what the cops did. Ho in with enough force to effect a victory if it is real. No wasted time on phone calls. Save the kid! What if a human trafficker saw that ad and decided to offer them some more money? Or even just got ideas of their own? Who knows what situation the cops could have found themselves in.

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