Pocatello police fight crimes against children

The Pocatello Police Department has renewed a memorandum of understanding with several agencies in Idaho to fight Internet crimes against children.

Lt. Ian Nelson, public information officer for the police department, said the overall goal is to stop kids from being victimized and possibly re-victimized. Nelson said if a pornographic picture of a child is viewed and shared, each time the child is victimized again.

“We don’t want to see any of our kids in Pocatello or anywhere, for that matter, being hurt because of their Internet activities,” Nelson said.

Nelson said this memorandum provides resources and information between city and county agencies for many different kinds of education.

“We can educate the public about safe uses of the computer, parental locks and whatnot,” said Nelson.

Nelson also said it’s not just parents that should feel the urge to find ways to help empower kids to not become victims of Internet crimes.

“Realistically, every adult has the responsibility to protect our kids,” he said.

Nelson said many law enforcement agencies find useful information and resources at the following links:missingkids.comandnetsmartz.org.