Atlantic County Sheriff's Office

The Internet and You

by Capt.Joseph Bruno, Atlantic County Sheriff's Office

There is a tremendous amount of press being given to all the benefits that come with having personal access to the internet, especially for school age children. There has also been some negative publicity (although not as much) on the hazards of the internet.

Unfortunately, Law Enforcement has not been able to keep pace with the technology. While the internet is described by David Benson (in his Netwalker column in the Atlantic City Press) as a sort of a sphere, where any point on the sphere can connect with any other point on the sphere this is a definition of the way the computers connect. I liken the internet to the Wild West, where there is no (enforceable) law. There is no way to prevent anyone from putting up anything. If material that is illegal in one state, they can post it through a server in another state. If it's illegal in the United States they can post through a server in the Cayman Islands or some other country. The simple, sad fact of the matter is that anyone can put up anything and it is difficult, if not impossible, to stop them.

The type of material that has been getting the most press, is of course child pornography. This is posted by individuals and groups through anonymous servers, through servers in other countries, and through being hidden in the sheer volume of data out there on the net.

It's difficult to police. Who has jurisdiction? Who has the manpower to enter into the labor intensive investigation needed to make a case? These are all questions which have yet to be definitively answered.

Computer crime is the most difficult to catch, most difficult to prosecute and even when convicted, draws the most minimal of penalties. This is because, in most cases, there was no physical contact with the victim.

Your best defense to crime on the internet is to be aware. Be careful what information you broadcast over the net. When you post to a newsgroup, it's like putting up a 3x5 card on the bulletin board of your local supermarket, anyone has access to it. Be careful what personal information you give out and where you give it out. For young people particularly, this is very important. Child molesters prey on children on computer networks (this includes on-line services, bulletin boards, and the internet). Your best defense is a good offense. Never give anyone you meet on line the information necessary to find you in person. As you become more comfortable with people you meet on line and eventually decide to meet them in person, do so in a public place and bring someone with you. Exercise the same caution you would use if it was someone you had never met before.

Everyday, people are victims of some type of physical violence, in malls, on the highway, in schools and colleges. We don't avoid these places because of that, we just use caution and protect ourselves as much as we can. We need to use that same caution on-line. After all, unlike running into a problem at the local mall, on-line we can always turn off the computer and walk away.

If you have a problem with some material or messages you have come across or been sent on-line - save it and contact the Sheriff's Office. We will be glad to help you take appropriate action against the offender.

Return to Electronic Handouts