Reedsburg Police Department Joins the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

REEDSBURG - The Reedsburg Police Department has joined the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

"We are pleased to have you as a member of the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force and pledge our full support to you as we work together to make Wisconsin safer for our children," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

As part of this affiliation, the Reedsburg Police Department is eligible for:

• Reimbursement to help fund ICAC related expenses, including computer hardware and software;
• Notification of and priority for sought-after ICAC related training, offered both nationally and in Wisconsin;
• Investigative assistance from highly trained ICAC investigators and forensic computer analysts throughout the state;
• Access to the national ICAC email group;
• Recognition on both the Reedsburg Police Departments website, and on the Wisconsin Department of Justice website;

"Partnering with the Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is only natural because it follows our mission of protecting our most vulnerable citizens," said Chief Tim Becker of the Reedsburg Police Department. "The City of Reedsburg sincerely thanks the Attorney General for his assistance in helping to combat this growing problem." 

To learn more about the ICAC Task Force program at the Reedsburg Police Department, contact Det. Andy Stelter at (608) 524-2376 or via e-mail at astelter@reedsburgpolice.com. 

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the founding of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. "In the past decade, Wisconsins ICAC Task Force and Affiliate Agencies have arrested 639 suspects, executed 808 search warrants, and rescued countless numbers of children throughout the state," said Van Hollen.

According to Van Hollen, there are over 22,304 internet protocol addresses in Wisconsin containing and offering to distribute known images of child pornography. One in seven children are asked online to engage in sexual activities, sexual talk, or provide personal sexual information.

Van Hollen has placed a priority on law enforcement's proactive response to the growing problem of internet crimes against children. To that end, Van Hollen has directed a 67% increase in the number of special agents assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force within the Division of Criminal Investigation.

In addition to expanding investigative capacity internally, Van Hollen and the Department of Justice have continued to add additional local affiliates to the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force. The number of local law enforcement partners to the Department of Justices ICAC Task Force has quadrupled to 103 since Attorney General Van Hollen took office. You can access a list of affiliates.

For more information on how your community can become an affiliate of the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force contact Kris Midthun at (715) 839-3831, midthunkm@doj.state.wi.us