Schaffer Discusses $1M State Investment in Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

COLUMBUS— State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) today was joined by Attorney General Dave Yost, State Representative Kent Smith (D-Euclid), Baltimore Police Chief Mike Tussey and representatives from Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) for a press conference outlining plans for the $1 million, included in the state's new two year operating budget, for Ohio’s ICAC Task Force. In an effort to support law enforcement’s dedication to protecting children from predators, Senator Schaffer and Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) worked to include an additional $500,000 per year for the Ohio ICAC Task Force and over 360 local, state and federal criminal justice affiliates throughout Ohio. “I was very gratified that my Ohio Senate colleagues supported my amendment funding Ohio’s Internet Crimes Against Children task forces with $1 million, two-year appropriation through Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office. Special thanks goes to Senate President Larry Obhof, who never wavered in the funding debate, as well as Attorney General Yost for his backing,” said Schaffer. “Ohio’s ICAC task forces accomplish incredible work as they protect Ohio’s families from predators who try to commit horrible crimes.” The $1M will allow for additional resources for Ohio's law enforcement to help enhance safety for children and families by increasing awareness, prevention strategy and investigations. “I commend Senator Tim Schaffer and Representative Kent Smith for seeking additional task force money, knowing that human trafficking is an issue that does not recognize political boundaries,” said Yost. “The rate of return for this funding will be exponential, quantified by the number of predators removed from our communities.” The Ohio ICAC Task Force investigates Cybertips that come through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Cybertips have escalated from an average of 600 to over 5,700 tips per year over the last decade. The task force is responsible for triaging and investigating every tip and disseminating this information to their statewide partners. The Ohio ICAC Task Force also conducts proactive investigations and provides forensic assistance to law enforcement agencies statewide. The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is run under the direction of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and funded in part by a grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Watch coverage of today's press conference here.