Great work by Del. Brian Moran:
SUCCESS WITH "ALICIA'S LAW"
~Alicia and actor David Keith join lawmakers~RICHMOND - House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran and Appropriations Vice-Chairman Phil Hamilton (R-Newport News) today announced success with "Alicia's Law" that will provide new investments to help law enforcement crack down on online child sex predators. They were joined by Alicia and Mary Kozkeiwicz, actor David Keith, Delegate Bobby Mathieson (D-Virginia Beach), Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown and representatives of the National Association to Protect Children. Together they announced the first significant appropriation of statewide funds to build a strong network of law enforcement officers to investigate, arrest and imprison online child sex predators. The House Appropriations Committee budget included a $1.25 million investment in the Southern and Northern VA Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces (ICAC), which will allow a 100 percent increase in cases investigated and arrests made. The House budget will now go to the Senate of Virginia and be reconciled in conference prior to March 8th.
"This investment will provide a 100 percent increase in arrests made and a significant increase in the number of children saved," said Delegate Brian Moran. "I thank my Republican and Democratic colleagues on Appropriations for seeing the merit of the program and making this critical investment. As a former prosecutor, I know our law-enforcement officers need the tools and resources required to protect us, and as the father of two young children, I couldn't be happier that we've taken this great first step."
The initiative is named after Alicia Kozakiewicz - the 13-year-old girl who was abducted by an Internet predator, held hostage and tortured in his Virginia basement. Earlier this month, regional ICAC Task Force members announced that nearly 20,000 computers in Virginia contain hardcore child pornography.In commenting on the funding initiative by the House, Delegate Phil Hamilton said, "Internet sex crimes are invading our homes and attacking Virginia's children. This funding will assist these two task forces in addressing this plague on our society."
The House Appropriations Committee recommends an additional $1.25 million in funding for the regional ICAC Task forces, the largest investment in recent history to crack down on online child sex predators. These new funds increase local police capacity, allowing more of these criminals to be stopped. In approximately 30 percent of child pornography cases, there is a local victim that can be rescued by stopping their predator.
"We will put special focus on finding and helping child victims like Alicia," Delegate Moran said. "As the prison cells begin to slam shut and we rescue more children, we may be back in Richmond for reinforcements."
The new funds for each regional ICAC will make it possible to:
- add new analysts and investigators, allowing for a 100 percent increase in cases worked and 100 percent increase in the number of arrests;
- provide new training programs to affiliated agencies within the ICAC; and
- acquire new equipment, such as dedicated high-speed Internet and electronic forensic equipment for affiliated agencies
"This might be the first government program ever that taxpayers would gladly pay more to fund," National Association to Protect Children spokesman Grier Weeks said. "These officers do only one thing: rescue and protect children."
Earlier this month, regional ICAC Task Force members announced that nearly 20,000 computers in Virginia contain hardcore child pornography.
Exactly how did they arrive at that number? Assuming that 75% of the population of Virginia owns a computer, that comes out to 1 in every 285 has child porn on it.
I find that hard to believe. It kind of reminds me of the saying that one out of four people suffer from mental illness. Think of three friends. If they seem normal, then you're it.
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Semi-related: Who was the Congressman that was recently identified as steering a ridiculous earmark to some two-bit private operation that was devoted to these types of investigations?
Of course, if they catch just one perv, it is probably worth it. Still, I hate the scare tactic statistics.
There are many, many people across the United States and the Commonwealth who are trafficking in child pornography. Alicia Kozakeiwicz is an amazing and strong person who has come back to Virginia to fight for funding to help out the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
I would dare anyone to listen to her story or speak to the men and women who help protect children who have been targeted and have this same attitude.
And frankly, to say that it's "opposed by no one" is also wrong. This bill originally died in subcommittee because of lack of funding. However, because of the priority and importance of this legislation, Del. Moran and those that serve on Appropriations have done what they can to help out ICAC around Virginia.