Law enforcement talks sextortion and how to keep your kids safe from online predators
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REXBURG — Many law enforcement leaders in the Upper Valley area joined together for a news conference on Tuesday morning to discuss the new dangers to children regarding online predators.
Rexburg Police Chief Joshua Rhodes stood before a long line of fellow law enforcement as he discussed their mission to keep local children safe from becoming victims of online sexual harassment.
“The law enforcement leaders standing with me today represent different agencies and jurisdictions, but we share one common priority, and that’s protecting the children in our communities,” said Rhodes during the news conference. “These threats don’t stop at city or county lines. Neither does our commitment to confront these issues.”
LIVE: Rexburg law enforcement hold news conference about child exploitation, sextortion
Also in attendance were Rigby Police Sgt. Detective John Erickson, Rigby Police Chief Allen Fullmer, Madison County Sheriff Ron Ball, Fremont County Sheriff Bart Quayle, Jefferson County Sheriff Steve Anderson, St. Anthony Police Chief George Belew, Teton County Sheriff Clint Lemieux, Rexburg police Lt. Dustin Hirschi, Rexburg Police Sgt. Eric Wheeler, Madison County Det. Christian Teague, and members of the Upper Valley SAFE Initiative.
“We’re here because there’s an issue affecting the safety and well-being of the children and the youth in our communities, and it demands our attention and our collective action,” said Rhodes. “Protecting children online is a significant part of protecting children in our communities.”
Media was invited to ask questions to law enforcement, who said there was no specific case that led to the news conference, but wanted to bring attention to the rising number of threats to children online.
Watch the full news conference in the player above.
“Online predators are using social media, gaming platforms and other technology to contact our children, build trust, and exploit them,” said Rhodes. “We’re seeing serious concerns involving children: sexual exploitation, child sexual abuse, and sextortion.”
Local law enforcement, along with the Upper Valley SAFE Initiative (UVSI), will be hosting a community awareness event on Saturday, Nov. 14, starting at 5 p.m. at Madison Junior High School, to “provide families with practical information about online exploitation, digital safety, and emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence.”
The event will feature speakers such as Korey Payne, the Commander of Idaho’s ICAC Task Force.