August 2007
Cyberspace has changed the way we interact. Today’s youth have a myriad of positive, informational resources available at every mouse click. On the flip side, it’s also easier for sexual predators to contact young kids by pretending to be someone they’re not and attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. Sadly, several horror stories have been reported on our local news.
Last March I wrote in this paper about the need to educate our community, especially our youth, about the potential dangers of the Internet. To help do my part to make the Internet a safe and educational resource, I have teamed up with Attorney General Terry Goddard to educate parents, teachers and students on Internet safety at several local schools and community meetings.
Together, Goddard and I have emphasized precautions for children and teenagers to take while using social network Web sites such as myspace.com and facebook.com. I plan to continue conducting forums as our children return back to school. During this process, I spent an entire day with several members of the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. I was able to experience and learn firsthand their frustrations and the need for tougher legislation on Internet safety.
In addition to education, improved enforcement and tougher legislation are also crucial to crack down on Internet predators. To that end, I have some great news to report about the city’s efforts to create tougher legislation aimed at child Internet predators. The city successfully advocated and the legislation was signed into law by the Governor on June 13th. The creation of this law will result in harsher punishment for those convicted of committing a dangerous byluring a minor for sexual exploitation on the Internet. For more information about Internet safety, visit phoenix.gov/district6 or www.azag.gov.
Our Phoenix Police Department along with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and I have diligently worked on this issue, and it remains a top priority to keep our children safe and target the predators who attempt to steal our youth’s innocence and endanger their lives. Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton represents Arcadia and is a member of the City Council Public Safety and Veterans Issues Subcommittee. Contact Councilman Stanton's office at 602-262-7491, e-mail greg.stanton@phoenix.gov or visit phoenix.gov/district6.
