St. Francis Police Department Joins the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

MADISON — The St. Francis Police Department has joined the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

“Wisconsin's ICAC Task Force already is a national model, and by adding agencies, such as the St. Francis Police Department, we can do more to protect - and to rescue - our youngest residents,” Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said.

As part of this affiliation, the St. Francis 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 St. Francis Police Department's website, and on the Wisconsin Department of Justice website.

To learn more about the ICAC Task Force program at the St. Francis Police Department, contact Timothy Blunt at 414-978-2141.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the founding of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

"In the past decade, Wisconsin's ICAC Task Force and affiliate agencies have arrested 728 suspects, executed 1,017 search warrants, and rescued countless numbers of children throughout the state," said Van Hollen.

According to Van Hollen, there are more than 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 Justice's ICAC Task Force has increased to more than 170 since Attorney General Van Hollen took office. A list of affiliates can be accessed here.

"Let internet predators take note. Our commitment is unceasing. We will identify you, arrest you, and take you off the street; we will follow you to every area of the internet, no matter where you try to hide; and we will work together in law enforcement to stay one step ahead of you," Van Hollen said.

For more information on how your community can become an affiliate of the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force contact Special Agent in Charge Jenniffer Price at (608) 266-1671.