Greater Sudbury Northern Life
If you view child pornography on the Internet, you will be criminally charged and prosecuted if caught, said Sgt. Tim Burtt.
He is head of the cyber crime unit at Greater Police Service, and is assisted by Det. Const. Dan Zuliani, a victim identification specialist, along with computer forensic investigator Todd Bignucolo.
Burtt has been involved with cyber crime locally for over five years. He was instrumental in pressing his boss, Police Chief Ian Davidson, to set up a cyber crime unit in 2006.
He warns offenders that police are increasingly better funded and trained to deal with those who abuse children.
Thanks to a funding boost of $263,720 from the province, Greater Sudbury Police Service and their community partners have even more resources to catch those who abuse children.
“Unfortunately, with the wonders of modern technology such as the Internet, we are also faced with modern problems,” said Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci. He is also the Ontario Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Bartolucci made the announcement in conjunction with police board chair Dr. Rayudu Koka and Ward 5 Coun. Ron Dupuis.
“Protecting our kids on the Internet is critical to the safety of our communities. We will not let up in our efforts to defend children from exploitation and bring predators to justice,” he said.
Bartolucci said he was shocked and disgusted at a demonstration of cyber crime involving children while at police headquarters.
“I was scared and deeply moved by what I saw. I couldn't get this out of my mind for days afterwards,” he said emotionally.
“It reinforced my commitment to this cause when I also saw the dedication of the officers involved.”
Burtt said that in the Sudbury area, total cases of cyber crime increased from 21 in 2005/2006 to 70 for 2008 to date. Total arrests jumped from two in 2005/2006 to 12 in 2007/2008. Charges ranged from 11 in 2005/2006 to 20 in 2008 as of October.
Seized images since March 2007 totaled 2,373,853. Total child exploitation images viewed by investigators since March 2007 numbered 45,605. Currently 67 active investigations are underway.
Residents can contact police at 675-9171 if they have information which can be of use to the unit.
