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Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program

Award Information

Award #
15PJDP-21-GK-03799-MECP
Funding Category
Noncompetitive
Location
Awardee County
Delaware County
Congressional District
Status
Open
Funding First Awarded
2021
Total funding (to date)
$1,789,352

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2021, $518,347)

The National Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, consists of state and local law enforcement task forces dedicated to developing effective responses to online enticement of children by sexual predators, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases. Each State and local task force that is part of the national program shall: 1) consist of State and local investigators, prosecutors, forensic specialists, and education specialists who are dedicated to addressing the goals of the task force; 2) engage in proactive investigations, forensic examinations, and effective prosecutions of Internet crimes against children; 3) provide forensic, preventive, and investigative assistance to parents, educators, prosecutors, law enforcement, and others concerned with Internet crimes against children; 4) develop multijurisdictional, multiagency partnerships and responses to Internet crimes against children offenses through ongoing informational, administrative, and technological support to other State and local law enforcement agencies, as a means for such agencies to acquire the necessary knowledge, personnel, and specialized equipment to investigate and prosecute such offenses; 5) participate in nationally coordinated investigations in any case in which the Attorney General determines such participation to be necessary, as permitted by the available resources of such task force; 6) establish or adopt investigative and prosecution standards consistent with established norms, to which such task force shall comply; 7) investigate, and seek prosecution on tips related to Internet crimes against children, including tips from Operation Fairplay, the National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline, ICAC task forces, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, with priority being given to investigate leads that indicate the possibility of identifying or rescuing child victims, including investigative leads that indicate a likelihood of seriousness of offense or dangerousness to the community; 8) develop procedures for handling seized evidence for ICAC task force lead agencies and affiliate agencies; 9) maintain reports required by OJJDP and other reports and records as determined by the Attorney General; and, 10) seek to comply with national standards regarding the investigation and prosecution of Internet crimes against children, as set forth by the Attorney General, to the extent such standards are consistent with the law of the State where the task force is located. 

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (PA ICAC), will continue its partnership with probation and parole agents to track child sex offenders and enforce Megan's Law requirements to enhance community safety. PA ICAC has 86 affiliate agencies and more than 225 dedicated investigators, forensics examiners, analysts, and prosecutors with expertise combating online child victimization and the possession and distribution of child pornography. The PA ICAC will continue to train investigators and prosecutors on the ever-changing technology-facilitated crimes against children. The Task Force will also continue to work with the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association in supporting its child abuse coalition efforts and educational programs. Health and wellness counseling for PA ICAC law enforcement employees and affiliates remains available as part of the program. OJJDP grant funds will support program costs, including personnel, training-related travel, equipment, supplies, software, and reimbursement to affiliate agencies. The program success will be measured by increases in the number of ICAC investigations, arrests and successful prosecutions; expansion of affiliates and statewide manpower and resources allocated; and educational outreach and numbers and types of audiences reached.

Date Created: December 6, 2021