Young internet users! Do you know the danger signs in your online interactions? Officer Red Flag is here to help.
The flag-waving, whistle-blowing, uniformed character is the hero of a humorous new educational video from Windsor police, meant to raise awareness of the need for internet safety.
There is some comedy in there to keep the viewer focused
In the video, Officer Red Flag tries to warn an adolescent female about her communications via laptop and cellphone with someone who calls himself “Timmy.”
“Zero mutual friends? Fake profile picture? Creepy messages?” Officer Red Flag says with growing concern. “Oh, gifts already! That’s a red flag.”
Officer Red Flag tries to stop the girl from sending selfies to “Timmy,” but she still ends up agreeing to a “super duper alone” meeting with her mysterious online admirer.
Of course, “Timmy” is a mustachioed adult man with a bowl haircut and unwholesome intentions. Officer Red Flag saves the day by intervening with a flying tackle.
Windsor police spokesman Sgt. Steve Betteridge said Officer Red Flag is an actor, and the video is a professional production that was uniquely made for Windsor police.
“There is some comedy in there to keep the viewer focused,” Betteridge said. “But, obviously, it’s a serious topic at the end of the day.”
The video was created by Josh Spadafora, Nikko Ocampo and Joe Lacharite of AXLE Films, a Windsor-based production company.
Spadafora — the son of a retired Windsor police officer — came up with the Officer Red Flag concept, with production design by Emily Eansor.
Actor Niko Lorkovich took the role of the vigilant flag-waving cop, Julia Pastorius played the naive girl, and Kenny Piasecki portrayed the poorly-groomed “Timmy.”
Windsor police are hoping to spread Officer Red Flag’s message with the hashtag #OfficerRedFlag.
While the video is aimed at children and teens, Windsor police remind parents, guardians, and caregivers that internet safety should be discussed in any household.
According to police, offenders often misrepresent themselves online — making it vitally important to educate young internet and social media users about situations like the one in the video.
Anyone with suspicions about an online interaction of this nature can call the Windsor police Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 519-255-6700 ext. 4896.
Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or catchcrooks.com.
dchen@postmedia.com
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An image from a new Windsor police video about internet safety – featuring Officer Red Flag (Niko Lorkovich), who tries to warn a youthful female (Julia Pastorius) about the dangers of online interactions.