Agenda Item No. 11
CITY OF YUCAIPA
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: t-14shane
ymond A. Casey, City Manager
Massoud, Public Information Officer/Grant Coordinator 14,11, FOR: City Council Meeting of May 23, 2022
SUBJECT: California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC)
RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council:
1.) Review and approve a letter of support for the County of San Bernadino, Office of the District Attorney's letter of request to Governor Gavin Newsom regarding the possible defunding of California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC); and
2.) Review and approve a letter of support urging our State Representatives to amend the proposed 2022-23 State Budget to include three years of funding for the ICAC program.
BACKGROUND:
California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC) was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet and other technologies, the proliferation of child sexual abuse images available electronically, and the heightened online activity by predators seeking unsupervised contact with potential underage victims.
Under the authority of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the purpose of the ICAC program is to ensure that local law enforcement agencies are adequately equipped to investigate computer crimes that target our youth; provide educational programs aimed at law enforcement officers, teachers, parents, and children; serve as a forensic resource to law enforcement agencies within each service area; pursue the prosecution of cases at the local, state, and federal level; and participate in nationally coordinated investigative efforts.
According to Cal OES, in fiscal year 2020/2021, 26,654 proactive/reactive investigations were conducted into computer/technology crimes perpetrated against children and youth, 12,584 digital forensic examinations were performed on electronic devices, 47,790 community outreach/law enforcement presentations were conducted throughout the state, 25 nationally -151-
coordinated investigations took place where ICAC task forces participated, and 1,500 arrests for internet crimes against children were made.
Since 2017, the state has funded five regional ICAC task forces throughout California. In 2019, state funds for the program were provided through a one-time measure, approved by the legislature, that provided $5 million per year for three years.
DISCUSSION:
Under the ICAC program, there are five regional task force: Fresno County Sheriff's Office; Sacramento County Sheriff's Office; Los Angeles Police Department; San Diego Police Department; and San Jose Police Department. The Los Angeles ICAC task force encompasses the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. The Los Angeles ICAC task force currently consists of 101 affiliate law enforcement agencies within our region. The Los Angeles ICAC task force is responsible for the administration, of the following:
1.) CyberTipline (CT) report management and distribution.
2.) Soliciting local law enforcement agencies to participate in the task force.
3.) Management of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) grant award funds.
4.) Management of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) grant award funds.
Because of this funding, the Los Angeles ICAC task force and its 101 affiliates are able to continue investigations into serious internet crimes against children. Those crimes include the sexual exploitation of children, and the manufacturing, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse materials. This state funding has been essential in successfully investigating and prosecuting child sexual predators.
In January 2022, Governor Newsom released his 2022/2023 State Budget which proposed to spend approximately $286.4 billion on various state programs and departments. Unfortunately, the January 2022 proposed budget did not include the $5 million in state funding for the ICAC program (each region receives $1 million in state funding). This resulted in a "Call to Actions" from Police Departments, Sheriff Departments, and District Attorney Offices from across the State.
On May 5, 2022, the County of San Bemadino, Office of the District Attorney, sent a letter of request to Governor Gavin Newsom regarding the possible defunding of California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. District Attorney, Jason Anderson, explained that the elimination of these funds would severely hinder law enforcement's ability to protect those most in need of protect, children. Mr. Anderson highlighted that the viewing and collecting of child pornography is not a victimless crime as 80% of offenders go hands-on with children at some point.
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On May 13, 2022, Governor Newsom released the "May Revision" of the proposed 2022/2023 State Budget which includes a one-time allocation of $5 million to the ICAC program. While this is positive news, the ICAC program will still be subject to funding uncertainties since this funding request is a one-time allocation; meaning the program may not necessarily be included in future budgets. However, the State Legislature has the ability and power to amendment the proposed budget to include funding for the next three years as the legislature previously approved in 2019.
City staff is recommending that City Council approve a letter of support for the County of San Bernadino, Office of the District Attorney's letter of request to Governor Gavin Newsom regarding the possible defunding of California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAO).
City staff is also recommending that City Council approve a letter of support urging our State Representatives to amend the proposed 2022/2023 State Budget to include three years of funding for the ICAC program.
ATTACHMENTS:
Letter of Request to Governor Gavin Newsom from the Office of District Attorney Letter of Support Office of the District Attorney
Letter of Support Office of Senator Ochoa Bogh
Letter of Support Office of Assembly Member Chad Mayes
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rri•
County of San Bernardino
n
j Office of the District Attorney
JASON ANDERSON, District Attorney
May 5, 2'�22 1
I `
Governor Gavin Newsom
1303 10111 Street Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Newsom, 1'
I am writing to you on behalf of the San Bernardino Cc.,ity District Attorney's Officelconcerning the possible defunding of California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force% Elimination of this funding will severely hinder law enforcernent's ability to protect those most in need of protection, children.
Every year thousands of cyber tips are investigated by our California agencies resulting in the arrest of child predators. Statistics show that viewing and collecting of child pornography is not a victimless crime as 80% of offenders go hands-on with children at some point. Elimination of these funds put children at risk not only from these offenders but having to deal with the lifelong trauma of being a sexual assault victim.
Our Office represents over 2 million citizens, the largest geographic county in the nation. As prosecutorstwe rely heavily on the investigative work of our law enforcement partners, specifically the California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to identify child predators, and separate them from their prey, innocent children.
Please take into consideration the consequences of defunding the California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, doing so will allow child predators to go unchecked, put defenseless victims in danger, and be an unmitigated risk to the entire County of San Bernardino.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (909) 382-3660.
Sincerely,
. f
Jason Anderson
District Attorney
County of San Bernardino
303 West Third Street, Sixth Roor, San Bernardino, California 92415-0502 1909t 382-3800 • Fax784-0315 E-mail address: da@s5cda_org WO) site: www.sbcoundtyda.org
CITY OF
May 23, 2022
Jason Anderson
District Attorney, County of San Bernardino
303 West Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
RE: California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program Dear Mr. Jason Anderson,
The City of Yucaipa is a strong supporter of California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC). As you are aware, this program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet and other technologies, the proliferation of child sexual abuse images available electronically, and the heightened online activity by predators seeking unsupervised contact with potential underage victims.
The City of Yucaipa believes that the ICAC program has successfully ensured that local law enforcement agencies are adequately equipped to investigate computer crimes that target our youth; has excelled in providing educational programs aimed at law enforcement officers, teachers, parents, and children; has helped serve as a forensic resource to law enforcement agencies within each service area; and has pursued the prosecution of cases at the local, state, and federal level.
The City of Yucaipa applauds and supports your hard work and dedication to urging Governor Gavin Newsom to include funding in the proposed 2022/2023 State Budget.
Sincerely,
David Avila
Mayor
Greg Bogh
Councilmember
Bobby Duncan
Councilmember
cc: Rosilicie Bogh, Senator, Via FAX No. (916) 651-4923 Chad Mayes, Assemblyman, Via FAX No. (916) 319-2142
Laura Morales, League of California Cities, lmoralesC,-calcities.orQ Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, mdesmondCaj..cacities.org City of Yucaipa
34272 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa, CA 92399
909-719.7 2489
Justin Beaver
Mayor Pro Tem
Jon Thorp
Councilmember
CITY OF
May 23, 2022
Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
California 23" Senate District
10210 Street, Room 7220
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program Dear Senator Ochoa Bogh,
The City of Yucaipa is a strong supporter of California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAO). As you are aware, this program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet and other technologies, the proliferation of child sexual abuse images available electronically, and the heightened online activity by predators seeking unsupervised contact with potential underage victims.
The City of Yucaipa believes that the ICAC program has successfully ensured that local law enforcement agencies are adequately equipped to investigate computer crimes that target our youth; has excelled in providing educational programs aimed at law enforcement officers, teachers, parents, and children; has helped serve as a forensic resource to law enforcement agencies within each service area; and has pursued the prosecution of cases at the local, state, and federal level.
On May 13, 2022, Governor Newsom released the "May Revision" of the proposed 2022/2023 State Budget which includes a one-time allocation of $5 million to the ICAC program. While this is positive news, the ICAC program will be subject to funding uncertainties since the Governor's request is a one- time allocation; meaning the program may not necessarily be included in future budgets.
The City of Yucaipa would respectfully request that the proposed 2022/2023 State Budget be amended to include three years of funding for the ICAC program.
Senator Ochoa Bogh, the City is grateful for your ongoing support of our local community and the others in your District.
Sincerely,
David Avila
Mayor
Greg Bogh
Councilmember
Bobby Duncan
Councilmember
cc: Laura Morales, League of California Cities, hnoraleskealcities.org Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, [email protected] City of Yucaipa
34272 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa, CA 92399
909-7�ff-2489
Justin Beaver
Mayor Pro Tem
Jon Thorp
Councilmember
CITY OF
May 23, 2022
Assembly Member Chad Mayes
California 42°d Assembly District
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249
RE: California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program Dear Assembly Member Mayes,
The City of Yucaipa is a strong supporter of California's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC). As you are aware, this program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet and other technologies, the proliferation of child sexual abuse images available electronically, and the heightened online activity by predators seeking unsupervised contact with potential underage victims.
The City of Yucaipa believes that the ICAC program has successfully ensured that local law enforcement agencies are adequately equipped to investigate computer crimes that target our youth; has excelled in providing educational programs aimed at law enforcement officers, teachers, parents, and children; has helped serve as a forensic resource to law enforcement agencies within each service area; and has pursued the prosecution of cases at the local, state, and federal level.
On May 13, 2022, Governor Newsom released the "May Revision" of the proposed 2022/2023 State Budget which includes a one-time allocation of $5 million to the ICAC program. While this is positive news, the ICAC program will be subject to funding uncertainties since the Governor's request is a one- time allocation; meaning the program may not necessarily be included in future budgets.
The City of Yucaipa would respectfully request that the proposed 2022/2023 State Budget be amended to include three years of funding for the ICAC program.
Assembly Member Mayes, the City is grateful for your ongoing support of our local community and the others in your District.
Sincerely,
David Avila
Mayor
Greg Bogh
Councilmember
Bobby Duncan
Councilmember
cc: Laura Morales, League of California Cities, lmorales(c�r�,calcities.ora Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, mdesmond a,cacities.orQ City of Yucaipa
34272 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa, CA 92399
9091-17�)77--2489
Justin Beaver
Mayor Pro Tern
Jon Thorp
Councilmember