NEW WESTMINSTER - The Surrey Creep Catcher group is holding a fundraiser in New Westminster this Friday (April 28).
“Come enjoy some laughs with us at the Columbia theatre,” the Facebook event says.
Two stand up comedians are set to perform and there will be door prizes, according to the post.
“It’s your chance to meet the crew that puts these creeps on blast, take photos, ask questions and get to know your local squad. And if that was not enough fun we will be hosting our very own venue across the street at Magnetiq night club where we will have local hip hop and rnb artists performing live.”
It adds: “Thanks to all who come and to those who can’t make it. We thank you all for your continued support.”
Tickets for the SCC fundraiser on Friday are $20 per event, or $30 combined for both, according to the Facebook event page, which says every ticket purchase will come with a bumper sticker and door prize draw entry.
Surrey Creep Catcher (SCC) hoodies and other items will also be for sale, organizers say.
SCC, run by group president Ryan LaForge, aims to weed out “potential predators” by posing as children online, arranging to meet adults who think they’ve been communicating with a child, confronting them, filming them and then posting the videos on Facebook.
LaForge said the fundraiser is more about “a show of force” than actual dollars raised, adding that he will be giving away tickets to those who can’t afford one.
The money raised will be used for various SCC resources, he told the Now-Leader.
“If it’s legal fees. If it’s a new laptop. If it’s to pay phone bill. If it’s to take my team on a well deserved dinner. That’s what we’ll do,” said LaForge. “We have some road trips planned. Motels, rental cars, etc.”
Last week, LaForge said the group is “gonna step our game up” in a post to his Facebook page.
“Were going to get security licenses and a legal team for real,” he added.
SCC support online is strong. As of Monday (April 24), the group’s Facebook page had more than 23,000 likes.
Asked why he thinks so many people are behind him, LaForge said there are two reasons.
“One, it’s the absolute right thing to do. Protect kids. No brainer. Two, we do it the best.”
LaForge said his ultimate goal is to change legislation, adding that he hopes to see mandatory minimum sentencing on sexual assaults and a public offender registry.
Meanwhile, LaForge has been slapped with a promise to appear (PTA) in Surrey provincial court on June 7, on an allegation of assault related to what he described as a citizens arrest. The incident took place on April 3rd, when LaForge was doing a sting on a man who he alleges came to pay for sex with a six-year-old.
See also: Surrey Creep Catcher president claims warrant issued for his arrest after sting
The man targeted by LaForge and his group in the April 3rd incident, 35-year-old Juljindenr Singh Bhatti, has been charged after allegedly trying to lure a minor for sexual purpose.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
LaForge says he is undeterred by lawsuits and complaints to the privacy commissioner recently lodged by the people they target and “blast” online.
The group’s fundraiser is set for 6:30 p.m. on April 28 at The Columbia theatre (530 Columbia St., New Westminster) and MagnetiQ Nightclub (27 Church St., New Westminster).
For more event information, and for tickets, visit the Facebook page SCC Fundraiser.
with files from Tom Zytaruk