Kids growing up in the Internet age might be exposed to cyber stalking when they surf the Web, Mayor Martin Chavez said.
"It's particularly problematic because oftentimes, to parents and grandparents, this type of crime is very frightening, because older generations simply don't understand technology as well as their children and grandchildren," Chavez said.
To address the issue, the mayor is hosting a forum at 6 p.m. today in UNM's Continuing Education Center. In cooperation with Albuquerque Police, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department and the FBI, Chavez will address the City of Albuquerque's initiative to combat ignorance of cyber crime.
Chavez said that increasing awareness of cyber crime is important for everyone who uses the Internet.
"It's a new initiative," Chavez said. "It's an initiative to bring Albuquerque current with the technology out there. The Internet is a marvelous tool. But it also has its underside, and that's what we want to work with here."
The city's cooperation with the FBI is part of the Innocent Images National Initiative, which was designed to combat the spread of child pornography.
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At the mayor's invitation, the FBI has offered some of its experts on cyber stalking to speak at the forum.
"Our program was initiated a few months back with Sandia National Labs and the software that was available for detecting cyber stalking," Chavez said. "Part of the partnership was from APS, because they are the principle institute that is involved with the kids."
GPSA Council Chairwoman Lissa Knudsen said that the threat of Internet child predators is worrisome but that priority should be given to stopping criminals closer to home.
"As a mother, this is an important issue." she said. ".However, we also need to understand that the vast majority of child predators are either relatives or family friends."
Knudsen said the city's initiative would be more successful if it helped children develop the ability to assess dangerous situations on their own.
"Focusing our resources on increasing access to high-quality early childhood education will teach our children protective skills, improve their self-esteem, (and that) may be the best return on our investment," she said.
Chavez said the forum will allow people to learn about the protocol and research done by APD and the Sheriff's Department in the event of cyber stalking. He said Albuquerque has been lagging behind other communities in terms of awareness and self-protection and that the city needs to get up-to-date.
"Cyber stalking is one of those crimes that doesn't respect geography, because it happens online. We're just like everywhere else," he said. "We are in a community that is slow on the uptake and we need to address it."
Forum on Internet crimes against children
Today, 6 p.m.
Continuing Education Center
Free
