The Buena Park City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, April 9, to investigate and prosecute internet crimes against children.
The city will team up with the Los Angeles Police Department, which received a United States Justice Department grant to enforce internet crimes against children.
“The LAPD uses this money to administer the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force,” Cypress Police Department Lieutenant Garry Worrall said. “Currently, the task force is comprised of 61 regional, state, and local members, whose mission is to investigate and prosecute people who sexually exploit people through the internet.”
The rant provides for training and equipment for participating agencies.
This program allows us access to significantly more investigative information when conducting an after-the-fact investigation,” Worrall said. “By participating in the task force, the BPPD detectives can receive specialized training for internet crimes against children, including undercover chat investigations.”
The only cost to the department will be the purchase of a stand-alone computer system.
“This computer is commonly referred to as a ‘Cop in the Box’, Worrall said. “The Buena Park Moose Lodge has graciously provided $3,500 to purchase the workstation.”
There are no recurring costs for the program, he said, and all activity in this endeavor will absorbed by the department’s sex crimes regular schedule.
Mayor Elizabeth Swift said the Moose Lodge did host an event to discuss the internet predator situation, and give information to parents and grandparents.
“Eric Estrada, who played Ponch Poncherello, on the television show CHIPS attended the event,” she said. “He made a video called ‘Finding Faith’ which is about a girl who was abducted.”
The program raises awareness about the dangers present on the internet.
“Teenagers are not known for making the wisest choices at times,” Swift said. “If they can be forewarned that forearms out children.”
The next Buena Park City Council meeting is Tuesday, April 23.
