Playwright faces child porn charges

A well-known member of Edmonton’s theatre community who also worked as a substitute teacher has been charged with possession of child pornography, says the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams.

David Belke, 56, was arrested Friday following an investigation by ALERT’s Internet child exploitation unit and Edmonton police.

A public tip sparked the investigation, which began in February and is ongoing.

Police said they seized a computer where they found child sexual exploitation photos and videos.

An ALERT spokesman said Belke was a substitute teacher with Edmonton Public Schools.

ALERT said in a news release it has “no information to suggest he offended on any children, but are encouraging anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact police.”

Belke, scheduled to appear in court April 6, has been released from police custody with a number of conditions. He is to stay away from any place with children aged 16 or under unless they are in the company of a parent or guardian; he also may not be within 100 metres of a public park, recreation facility, daycare or other facility where children 16 or under could be present. He cannot work or volunteer in any place with children in that age range.

Belke’s official website describes him as the resident playwright with Edmonton’s Shadow Theatre “where he is also in charge of new play production,” but company president Donal O’Beirne said Belke resigned in February.

“He did not give us a reason for his resignation,” O’Beirne said.

“David is not involved with Shadow Theatre at all and the charges we understand he is facing have nothing to do with his work with Shadow Theatre.”

Belke is a prolific playwright, author of more than 50 productions, including award-winning plays Blackpool and Parrish, The Maltese Bodkin and That Darn Plot. He won the City of Edmonton’s salute to excellence award for artistic achievement in 2004.

His website biography says his first full-length play was produced for the 1990 Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival, an event for which he has written a new play each year.

Belke did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment.