Should NH fund Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force?

Rep. Renny Cushing is sponsoring a 2017 bill to provide state funding for the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  

The ICAC Task Force coordinates training for and investigation of cases involving the sexual exploitation of children through the internet.  This includes investigations of child sexual abuse images (sometimes called “child pornography”) and cyber enticement (attempts to lure children through the internet).

The Portsmouth Police Department receives $250,000 from the federal government each year to facilitate the Task Force.  All told the NH ICAC has ninety affiliated agencies.  The federal grant pays for one full-time law enforcement officer; 80% of another detective’s time; and training, equipment, and community outreach. 

Cushing’s bill, HB 571, would provide an additional $250,000 in state funding each year. 

Supporters of additional funding note that the many local law enforcement agencies participating in the NH ICAC Task Force do not receive any funding for the time spent on these investigations.  Cases involving child exploitation through the internet are particularly complex, often involving multiple states and vast amounts of computer data.

Due to funding limitations, the NH ICAC Task Force also does not have time to proactively find and investigate offenses.  Instead, the Task Force reacts to the hundreds of tips process through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children each year.

However, HB 571 will likely receive push-back due to the many competing budget requests this year. 

Others may argue that the federal government should increase funding, instead.  Federal funding was cut in half in 2008. 

Do you support state funding for NH ICAC?  Share your opinion in the comments.