BARTHOLOMEW CO. – Bartholomew County prosecutors and law enforcement are formalizing plans to establish a local Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Their task force will work in state and national task forces to stop crimes against children that happen using the internet.
The Bartholomew County commissioners ratified the agreement this week. The commissioners say this is a worthy project and puts the county front and center in investigating these types of crimes with the goal of protecting the children of Bartholomew County
Under the agreement, the task force will investigate any investigations referred by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The task force will also assist other agencies investigating those crimes, including executing search warrants, interviewing suspects, victims, or witnesses, and using equipment and the expertise of technicians.
The county investigates crimes against children now, but the problem is crimes using the internet are increasing at an exponential rate. This agreement will allow organizations to collaborate and share resources and personnel to investigate the crime.
The agreement also provides for funding through grants. The task force received a $6,600 grant from the state for computer equipment and training.
