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Internet crimes against children on the rise
Grants exceed $2 million- Internet crimes against children on the rise
"1 in 7 kids online is sexually solicited!"1
The risks of Internet crimes being committed against children in the San Diego area are increasing due to the use of Internet sites such as Craigslist.com and Myspace.com, says SDPD Sergeant Chuck Arnold. Although the production, viewing or possession of child pornography is a crime, the number of criminals is rapidly growing in the perceived privacy of homes and offices worldwide.
The San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SD-ICAC) has a team of three detectives working under Sgt. Arnold. Their primary goal is protecting children.
Arnold reports that his unit is working closely with the federal government to monitor illegal activity on the popular user-based websites like Myspace.com and Craigslist.com.
Meanwhile, San Diego businesses that repair computers are helping out. The unit has been receiving an increasing number of calls from computer repair shops reporting hard drives containing child pornography.
SD-ICAC needs your help. Make a donation today.
To report a suspected internet crime against a child, go to www.cybertipline.com or call (800) 843-5678.1 David Finkelhor, Kimberly J. Mitchell, and Janis Wolak. Online Victimization: A Report on the Nation’s Youth. Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2000, page iX. These numbers are based on interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,501 youth ages 10-17 who used the Internet regularly in 1999.
- Grants exceed $2 million
- Thanks to generous donations from individuals and organizations alike, the San Diego Police Foundation has facilitated in-kind donations and awarded grants totaling more than $2,100,000. The total reflects donors' growing interest in the far-reaching results of contributions to the San Diego Police Foundation.
Also helping us reach this mark were organizations like the AT&T Foundation, who funded a $50,000 grant for SDPD Video Investigator Systems and SDPF communications improvement. Contributions were received from the Craig Irving family and Stephen and Laureen Miller, who recently sponsored a new police service dog for $8,500. The Foundation has also received continuing support from Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, Union Bank of California, and QUALCOMM.
The Foundation is proud to implement cost-effective innovations of SDPD staff - the kind of work for which the Department is world renowned.
SDPD Crime Fighting Opportunities
Following is just a sample of law-enforcement and crime prevention projects and equipment needs. Contributions from you, your employer and your service organizations can make a real difference.
Under $1,000
- Mobile Workstations Safeguard Evidence
- Mobile workstations will make it possible for Forensic Technology student volunteers to help collect automobile burglary evidence.
- Police Bikes Increase Access
- Quick access is important when patrolling beach areas and the boardwalk. Bicycles provide officers easy access to the beach, surrounding parks and parking lots. They are critical during summer and holidays when heavy traffic slows patrol car response.
- CSI: Cameras for Evidence Collection
- Police officers cross trained as Field Evidence Technicians “process” crime scenes when Crime Lab employees are not available. But they do not have cameras with manual adjustment capability necessary for time-lapse photography and close-ups.
Under $10,000
- Crash Data Retrieval System
- A crash data retrieval system will expedite traffic investigations. Currently, SDPD calls on CHP officers (when they’re available) and borrows their equipment. This practice results in CHP officers having to appear in court on SDPD cases. $5,500
- Police Dogs
- Canines used for suspect apprehension, officer protection and narcotics and explosives detection are important contributors to efficient police work. At approximately 8½ years old, SDPD dogs retire and continue to live with their officer/handler as pets. Current cost is $9,200 ea.
Under $15,000
- Cold Case Homicides . . . Solved by Playing Cards?!
- People behind bars talk — a lot.
San Diego County jails and the Donovan
State Penitentiary are prepared to pilot a program implemented successfully in other states to see if brief descriptions of 52 homicide cold cases — one per playing card — inspire anonymous calls to Crime Stoppers. - Narcotics Suspect Tracking System
- Surveillance of dangerous criminal suspects becomes more efficient and effective with GPS tracking technology. Systems support multiple tracking devices and feature e-mail alerts to police.
Under $30,000
- CSI: Vehicle
- SDPD criminalists are using an old vehicle unsuitable for transporting equipment needed for their field investigative work. As a result, evidence quality is impacted.
- Auto License Plate Reader Systems
- Auto theft is a growing challenge in the region. Camera systems that can be mounted on Retired Senior Volunteer patrol cars combine high-volume optical and continuous infrared scanning equipment with access to databases of stolen vehicles and those belonging to “wanted” suspects. It’s a cost–effective implementation of law-enforcement technology. $24,000 per system
- Recruiting Web Site
- Online access to current information about dynamic SDPD careers is challenging within the current operational limitations of the City of San Diego web site. Since 40% of candidates find their way to police recruiters through the internet, we’d like to increase visits and improve administrative flexibility.
Under $50,000
- Exercise Equipment Improves Performances
- Exercise equipment available in police stations is a critical factor in officer health and fitness. But much of the equipment in 4 locations is at least 25 years old!
Under $100,000
- Mental Health Clinicians Key to Homeless Program
- Homelessness is not a crime. But SDPD’s Homeless Outreach Team is nationally recognized for its Serial Inebriate Program, a collaborative effort that provides care, resources and assistance to more than 700 individuals each year. Nearly a third of individuals succeed in treatment programs, and arrests of the homeless population have been lowered by 25 percent. Mental health clinicians who work alongside police are key to building relationships and successful outcomes. Additional funding would increase clinician participation.
Under $500,000
- Mid-City Crime Reduction Initiative
- This multi-phase project will address
crime increases and police staffing
decreases through a secure network of police–operated security cameras. “Virtual” patrol from the police station is a hightech solution to address crimes like drug dealing, prostitution, assaults, auto thefts and vandalism. First phases demonstrate expedited police response and evidence leading to successful prosecutions. - Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet
- Internet-facilitated sex crimes against children are a significant threat to today’s wired generation of children. The truth is that predators no longer need to hang around playgrounds or schoolyards. The Internet gives them intimate access to technologically savvy but naïve children who are exposed and vulnerable. According to the SD–Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, we cannot arrest our way out of the problem. The crime prevention priority is a collaborative regional public education program for parents, children, IT technicians, and law enforcement.