THE EASTON POLICE PRESENTS:

Well, here we are.  In a new paradigm shift of Policing.  Yes, for those who do not believe this, take a look around.   There are 91 Million Internet Users now (9/99),  400 million by the year 2002 (quote from Sun MicroSystems).  White Collar Crime has now come to the level of conventional policing. If the everyday Patrol Officer is not aware of this, they better wake up!  Here are some examples:

- America Online recieves over 450 Million E-mails a day.  Thats just AOL, what about the rest?
- Children are now easily  exploited on the Internet.  (200,000 Child Porn Images were taken out of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during a 6 month period. What about the other States? How many investigators really know how to do this?
- Did you know paedophiles meet their kids at the local Malls?  When your in a Mall, can you pick out who the bad guy is?
- Teenagers are meeting strangers Online in Chat Rooms.  Have you ever come across a suspicious motor vehicle in a neighborhood, with out of state plates?  They were there to meet someone? Seem strange?
- Missing Children: If the investigative officer does not inquire whether the missing child uses a computer and is online, your investigation just got that much slower.   ALWAYS ASK THE GUARDIANS OF THE MISSING CHILD "If a computer is in the house, and is the child online".  Get consent to search that computer. You will find evidence where the child is!!
- When we were in school, our book covers had Girl or Boy Telephone numbers, answers to tests and scribble art.  TODAY, the kids have Internet URL's of Hacker Sites and Pornographic Websites, Passwords, Chat Room Address' and Message Boards. 
- Online Fraud.  Have you ever auctioned a product on the Internet?  Well others have.  What if someone called the Police Department, and told you: "I just bought a product on the website EBAY, and I sent this person a money order or check.   Well, I never recieved this product and all I have is an email address?  What can you do about it? I just lost over $300! Do you know how to subpoena an Internet Service Provider to obtain subscriber information?
- Kids are using computer scanners to duplicate: Drivers Licenses, Money, Certificates, Legal Documents etc.  Can you tell what is real?
- Did you know, your computer at home, can now be hacked into by a hacker, and you would not even know about it until it was too late?  Would you know how to prevent this? How about advising the victims when called upon?
-Hackers can steal your credit card numbers.  Hmmm, you probably knew this.    So, don't use the Internet. Thats crazy!  Hackers can get your information, just by creating a credit card generator, picking your trash, stealing your sticky notes left near your computer.  Did you know the primary job a hacker has are janitorialin nature?  A wealth of information is thrown away.  Do you know what you are throwing away???
- Children are more savy than their parents on the Internet.  That may be true for some.  But did you know there are educational programs that can help the Parent use prevention and look for certain signs that will help protect their child on the Internet?
- Did you know, defense lawyers are using the Internet to obtain information to help defend their clients? They also use the internet to obtain information to use against the Police! What I am trying to say is: "If you do not learn how to use the Internet for your Investigations or to help you build your case .....then guess what?   If you don't.....then the Internet will be used against you!"

This site will be developed in the near future to provide Law Enforcement with resources and tips to help out their investigations in this new shift of Policing.   The Easton Police Department is proud to share this information to help the law enforcement community! 

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