MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Internet crimes against youth are an underreported crime in Mountlake Terrace, according to one Police Department employee, and most victims are afraid to come forward because the perpetrator has blackmailed them.
Danielle Singson, violence and crime prevention specialist for the Mountlake Terrace Police Department, encourages young people to come forward if they have been victimized, even if they feel humiliated or fear retaliation from their parents.
“The Internet can be a scary tool but police enforcement is using it to catch perpetrators,” Singson said.
Blackmailing victims through Internet chat rooms and social sites is common, Singson said.
One recurring example involves an adult perpetrator deceiving a teen into believing they are talking to another teenager. The victim is badgered into sending a mildly risqué photo. Later, the perpetrator threatens to send the photo to the victim’s parents or friends unless they send a more explicit picture.
Compared to neighboring cities, Mountlake Terrace doesn’t receive a lot of reports of Internet crimes against children, Singson said. But that doesn’t mean this type of crime isn’t occurring.
The department recently solved one case, but no one has been adjudicated yet.
Earlier this year, the Police Department joined the Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) as an affiliate member. Headed by the Seattle Police Department, the task force aims to help local law enforcement agencies respond to cyber enticement and child pornography issues.
Joining the task force has equipped Police Department staff with specialized investigated techniques, forensic support and tips for community education. A Cyber- Tipline is also available for residents to report online child exploitation.
The ICAC Task Force Program helps state and local law enforcement agencies to improve its investigative response to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems or other computer technology to sexually exploit children. The program is federally funded and comprised of more than 60 regional task force agencies.
Singson said the task force helps smaller departments with limited manpower.
By joining the ICAC task force, MLT officers and personnel can call upon detectives from the Seattle Police Department’s ICAC staff specializing in this specific crime for assistance. Additionally, local officers have access to detectives and officers from around the region who have dealt with similar cases to help solve cases.
Singson said by joining the task force, officers can more successfully identify child victims, share information about offenders and better educate the community about crime prevention.
Since joining, one MLT detective attended training to improve investigative techniques for Internet crimes against children. Singson attended training to help keep children safe while they surf the Internet.
Singson recommends not letting teens have computers in their room. Instead, parents should keep computers in a high traffic place in the house to prevent problems. She suggests parents “friending” their children on Facebook and MySpace to monitor the pictures and messages their children post.
Police staff also has to stay ahead of “sexting,” when people send provocative messages or pictures through their cell phones. Another threat is technology avaible on iPhones, such as video chats which perpetrators can use to entice youths to send exploitative videos.
“It’s new territory for us but now we can contact another department and ask for help,” Singson said.
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