AgdaPkt 2010-10-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1 F Page 19 Grand 3ury Respanse Page 2 3. The percentage of childnen taken for examination of possible sexual abuse and � assaulf to the San Mateo Medical Cenfer's Keller Cen�er by Sher�ff's deputies declined in 2008-2009 by about % from 2004-2007 levels. Response: This finding was directed towards the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. Use of the Internet by Sexual Predators �. Sexua! predafors are increasingly using fhe �ntemet to atfract young children. In 2006, 250 minors per month received an online sexual sollcitation in San 1Vlateo County according to a She►7ff's O�ce estlmafe. With the explosion of social networking and intemet-based commun�catlons during the last 3 years, current estimates could be several times higher. � � � Response: Respondent agrees with the finding. �� 2. The Sheriff's O�ce maintains a sergeant and detecfive that oversee on-line sexual predafors a few hours each week. Local police departments have nei�her the specialized resources nor the personnel to pursue on-Irne predafors. Response: Respondent agrees in part with this finding. While, local police departments aggressi�ely use investigative resources when complaints are received from their community regarding on-line sexual predators, most departments lack the resources or personnel to proactively pursue on-line predators. However, since these predators can live anywhere in the world, local departments must rely on Federal Agencies andlor local Task Forces to conduct proactive enforcement on-line. For exarnple, the Federal Bureau of lnvestigations (FB1), US Immigrations Custom Enforcement (ICE), US Postal Inspectors and the San Jose Police Department have specific task forces dedicated to proactively seeking out online predators. On a local level, many departments participate in the Silicon Valley lnternet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force which has responsibility for proactively investigating on--line predators in the nine bay area counties. Most recently in July, ICAC made 11 arrests staffed by several Detectives from San Mateo County agencies. Other arrests have taken place throughout San Mateo County all year long. These task forces conduct their own proactive investigations as well as provide assistance to a law enforcement agency upon request. 3. While sophisticated tools are available to identify violators of child pornography laws, SherifPs O�ce personnel stated thaf County resources are insu�cienf to pursue investigation of fhese criminals in a timely manner. Response: Respondent agrees with this finding. While, local police departments aggressively use investigative resources when complaints are received from their �