~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joe Arpaio School Patrols Begin Armed Watch Of Maricopa Schools

by JACQUES BILLEAUD

PHOENIX — The sheriff for metropolitan Phoenix has launched a plan to have as many as 500 armed volunteers patrol areas just outside schools in an effort to guard against shootings like month's attack at a Connecticut elementary school that left 26 people dead.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office said Wednesday that the patrols were launched earlier this week at 59 schools in unincorporated areas and communities that pay his agency for police services.

Arpaio hopes to have as many as 400 posse volunteers and another 100 volunteers known as reserve deputies take part in the patrols.

The plan from the sheriff known for immigration enforcement and housing jail inmates in canvas tents has led some longtime critics to say Arpaio's latest effort is meant to grab headlines and won't be sustained over the long term.

"Why would people complain about my posse being in front of schools to act as prevention?" Arpaio asked, noting that he wants the patrols to last throughout the remainder of the school year.

The sheriff said school shootings in Connecticut and elsewhere and last month's arrest of an Arizona student accused of planning an attack at her high school led to his decision to launch the patrols.

The volunteers, dressed in uniforms and driving patrol vehicles, won't go onto school grounds unless they spot danger and won't sit in stationary spots. Instead, they'll patrol several schools as part of their driving routes.

Andrew Sanchez, a town council member in Guadalupe, said he doesn't want the sheriff's posse members patrolling outside schools in his town. The community of about 6,000 spends $1.2 million a year to have Arpaio's office provide police protection.

"We are paying him to have certified deputies here, not to bring a circus and not to use our town as a political platform," Sanchez said.

He predicted the volunteer patrols would disappear once media attention had faded.

Distrust of Arpaio in Guadalupe runs deep after the sheriff's deputies poured into the town during one of his first trademark immigration sweeps in April 2008.

During the crackdowns, deputies surge into an area of a city – in some cases, heavily Latino areas – to seek out traffic violators and arrest other offenders over several days.

Arpaio announced his plans Wednesday on the grounds of an elementary school, saying he wants the patrols publicized.

"I want everyone to know about it for the deterrence effect," he said.

The announcement came on the same day that the top Democrat in the Arizona House put forth a proposal to triple funding for school resource officers, add money for mental health treatment and require background checks on all buyers at gun shows.

Arpaio said no taxpayer money would be spent on the patrols and volunteers will be supervised by radio or phone by deputies.

Joselyn Wells, the mother of three children at a school in suburban Anthem, where Arpaio's posse members have begun patrolling, said she was excited to hear about the initiative.

"A lot of people sit around and watch these things happen, watch key signs and no one wants to do anything about it," she said. "Nobody wants conflict, nobody wants to be out in the limelight. And he doesn't care. He wants to do the right thing."

Arpaio has relied heavily on his posse, which consist of about 3,000 unpaid civilians, including action-film star Steven Seagal.

They assist deputies in duties such as providing free police protection at malls during the holidays, directing traffic at wreck scenes and transporting to jail the people who are arrested in immigration patrols. One group of posse members conducted an examination into the authenticity of President Barack Obama's birth certificate.

Members wear uniforms and can get authorized to carry a gun after training, though only 400 can actually carry guns. They can make arrests only at the direction of a deputy sheriff. Posse operations generally don't receive taxpayer money and instead are funded through contributions and dues paid by posse members.

The reserve deputies who will join posse members in the school patrols have all the training and powers of a regular law enforcement officer but aren't paid for their police work.

Monica Allread, spokeswoman for the Tempe Elementary School District, which includes an elementary school in Guadalupe, shied away from commenting on Arpaio's new plan. But she said the district aims to improve safety at its schools.

"Anyone who wants to help us keep the kids safe, that's a good thing to us," she said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/joe-arpaio-school-patrols_n_2443295.html?ir=Education&ref=topbar

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Florida

FMPD introduces new ideas to fight violent crime

by Joelle Parks

FORT MYERS - In the wake of the first murder of the year, Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker is unveiling new tactics to stop violent crimes. It includes an emphasis on community policing.

Fort Myers Police Officer Tony Brown has a way of talking to people. It's one of the reasons people trust him.

"I build up a rapport with a lot of the people in the community, so i usually get out of my car, go talk to them and a lot of times I've even arrested them but when I arrest them, it's not like I treat them like dirt," says Brown.

That trust helps solve crimes.

"They're more willing to tell you hey this person did it or this person right here did it," says Brown.

This type of community policing is the key to a safer city according to Chief Doug Baker.

"Obviously the officers can't be everywhere at once so it's important that we receive that informational info from the tips from the community," says Baker.

The chief is even seeking solutions from other police departments all over the country. One idea is an ordinance that forces convicted felons who use guns in their crimes to register with police once they're out of jail.

"What I want to do, as a matter of fact I was just talking to Washington DC police this morning as it relates to crime stoppers, as it relates to looking at offering possible rewards for tips and information," says Baker.

While more ideas are generated, the rest is up to officers.

"You're really looking at quality of life issues within a neighborhood or within a community," says Baker.

It's not always easy.

"It's very hurtful a lot of times, because you never want to see anybody get killed," says Brown.

When it does happen, this officer's mission is renewed.

"They need your help, and eventually is something happens you're going to need their help," says Brown.

http://www.abc-7.com/story/20546879/fort-myers-police-introduce-new-ideas-to-combat-violent-crime

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indiana

Officers get personal in police work

Police asked to make more connections in community

by Drew Blair

AUBURN, Ind. (WANE) - Police patrols just got more personal; the streets more social in Auburn. The city's police chief has introduced a new effort to build relationships between community members and officers.

The goal, Martin McCoy said is to establish familiarity and trust so if something comes up, neighbors might feel more comfortable going to police.

“We've got that small town feel and we want to keep that. We want people to know that we're there to help them,” Chief McCoy said. “They pay for us to do a job and we want to do that job for them; we're here to serve.”

The police department divided the city into five sections to which officers are assigned. Each of the agency's 18 patrol officers will be responsible for making connections throughout their area. McCoy has asked officers to make at least one contact a week to start.

Corporal Chad Weimer, a 20 year veteran with the department said he was eager to talk to homeowners specifically about possible drug activity.

“In the last two months, we've had four meth labs in four different houses in [one] area, so I think there's a need for some community policing; get to know the neighborhoods a little better,” Weimer said.

During his first introduction with a couple out for a walk Wednesday, Weimer heard concerns about vandalism. Auburn resident Sara Cook appreciated the new effort put forth by police.

“I think it's nice that they're going to assign people to areas where they can look for things that are out of place… If you're in the whole town, you're not going to learn that nearly as quick,” Cook said.

Chief McCoy stated the idea should not be considered a program or a service but instead a tool to help the department do its job better.

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/officers-get-personal-in-police-work-dbl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Georgia

Civilians graduate from HPD police acadmey

by Asia Ashley

Police are not only working from the police departments, but also at the homes of local residents.

Fifteen civilians graduated from the Hogansville Police Department's Civilian Police Academy on Tuesday evening, after completing a 12-week program.

“The Civilian Police Academy is a thing that bridges both the community and the police department. It bridges trust. It's created to have healthy environment to let everyone know that it's not us against them, it's us working together. It is one of the things I consider a great accomplishment for the city and for the citizens and the police department to work together.” said Chief Moses Ector.

The graduates met one Tuesday evening a month in which they learned about all aspects of policing. The program was free to participants and was taught by police officers and industry professionals.

“They learn it's not like what you see on TV. There's a difference in what you see on TV versus what cops really do.” said Hoansville Police Sgt. Richard Wolfe, who was an instructor for some of the CPA classes including the firearms training class.

Some of the subjects the graduates covered included investigations, public safety, homeland security, tasers, animal control, evidence collection, court/ probation services, among various areas of policing. They also toured the jail facility, could participate in ride-alongs with an officer and were given K-9 demonstrations. This year a firearms training class was added to the schedule, in which they were able to handle and fire two different firearms.

“The gun shooting was my favorite. That was kind of exciting. I was a little nervous about it at first though.” said Laura Fomby, a second time graduate of the academy. “I also liked the Alzheimer's class. I thought learning about the elderly was very interesting.”

In 1985, Orlando, Fla., was the first U.S. city to host a CPA, after the idea was borrowed from the police night school in Britain. The first class of graduates from the Hogansville CPA was in September of 2008. The goal was to bridge the divide between citizens and police and reduce crime through a stronger citizens commitment.

“We can't be everywhere and see everything, but the citizens always see something.” said Wolfe. “They're helping solve crimes.They give us the problem in their community and we'll try to work together to help solve them.”

Wolfe said by going through the classes, the citizens also got an in depth look at how community policing gets the community involved by doing the blanket-to-elderly program and fruit basket program.

It is currently undetermined when classes will begin for the next CPA program. To find out more information about the Hogansville CPA, the contact the Hogansville Police Department at 706-637-6648.

http://www.lagrangenews.com/view/full_story/21352796/article-Civilians-graduate-from-HPD-police-acadmey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the Department of Justice

Dreamboard Member Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Participating in International Criminal Network Organized to Sexually Exploit Children

A Massachusetts man was sentenced today to serve 45 years in prison for his participation in an international criminal network, known as Dreamboard, dedicated to the sexual abuse of children and the creation and dissemination of graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse throughout the world, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley of the Western District of Louisiana and Raymond R. Parmer, Special Agent In Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans.

David Ettlinger, 35, of Newton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Maurice Hicks in the Western District of Louisiana. In addition to his prison term, Ettlinger was sentenced to lifetime supervised release.

"David Ettlinger will spend 45 years in prison for his role in a horrific international conspiracy to sexually exploit young children," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. "Ettlinger participated in a criminal online community that encouraged members to regularly produce content depicting extreme sexual abuse of children. The members of Dreamboard attempted to evade law enforcement by disguising their locations, but today's sentencing is a strong reminder that the department is dedicated to working with its law enforcement partners to track down child predators who seek to take advantage of our most vulnerable citizens."

U.S. Attorney Finley said, "Sexual abuse is a growing problem around the world, and it has devastating consequences for the victimized children. Child pornography on the internet is another growing problem. In addition to the abuse these children suffer, images of the abuse circulate worldwide across the internet for many years, repeating the abuse. Children should not be victims. This sentence sends a strong message to people who abuse children that they will pay a heavy price for their actions. My office, along with our federal, state and local partners, remains committed to protecting children by aggressively pursuing, prosecuting and punishing those who seek to exploit them."

"The sexual abuse of an innocent child by a teacher is one of the most heartbreaking violations of trust imaginable," said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Parmer. "Investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes is one of our highest priorities and today's sentencing ensures this predator will never again have the opportunity to harm another child."

On Aug. 15, 2012, Ettlinger pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise. Evidence presented in court documents and at sentencing revealed that Ettlinger, a former elementary school teacher in Newton, Mass., had been an active member of Dreamboard, an online child pornography bulletin board, since 2009.

Ettlinger was charged in an indictment unsealed on Aug. 3, 2011. The charges against Ettlinger are the result of Operation Delego, an ongoing investigation launched in December 2009 that targeted individuals around the world for their participation in Dreamboard. Dreamboard was a private, members-only, online bulletin board that was created and operated to promote pedophilia and encourage the sexual abuse of very young children, in an environment designed to avoid law enforcement detection.

A total of 72 individuals, including Ettlinger, have been charged as a result of Operation Delego. To date, 57 of the 72 charged defendants have been arrested in the United States and abroad. Forty-five individuals have pleaded guilty, and one was convicted after trial. Forty-two of the 45 individuals who have pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy have been sentenced to prison and have received sentences ranging between 10 years and life in prison. Fifteen of the 72 charged individuals remain at large and are known only by their online identities. Efforts to identify and apprehend these individuals continue. Operation Delego represents the largest prosecution to date in the United States of individuals who participated in an online bulletin board conceived and operated for the sole purpose of promoting child sexual abuse, disseminating child pornography and evading law enforcement.

Ettlinger and other Dreamboard members traded graphic images and videos of adults molesting children 12 years-old and under, often violently, and collectively created a massive private library of images of child sexual abuse. The international group prized and encouraged the creation of new images and videos of child sexual abuse.

Dreamboard members employed a variety of measures designed to conceal their criminal activity from detection by law enforcement. Members communicated using aliases or "screen names," rather than their actual names. Links to child pornography posted on Dreamboard were required to be encrypted with a password that was shared only with other members. Members accessed the board via proxy servers, which routed internet traffic through other computers so as to disguise a user's actual location and prevent law enforcement from tracing internet activity. Dreamboard members also encouraged the use of encryption programs on their computers, which password-protect computer files to prevent law enforcement from accessing them in the event of a court-authorized search.

Membership was tightly controlled by the administrators of the bulletin board, who required prospective members to upload child pornography portraying children 12 years of age or younger when applying for membership. Once they were given access, members were required continually to upload images of child sexual abuse in order to maintain membership. Members who failed to follow this rule would be expelled from the group.

Operation Delego involved extensive international cooperation to identify and apprehend Dreamboard members abroad. Through coordination between ICE; the Department of Justice; Eurojust, the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit; and dozens of law enforcement agencies throughout the world, 20 Dreamboard members across five continents and 14 countries have been arrested to date outside the United States, including two of the five lead administrators of the board. Those countries include Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Kenya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Qatar, Serbia, Sweden and Switzerland. Numerous foreign investigations related to Operation Delego remain ongoing. The location and arrest of Dreamboard members abroad have led to the capture and investigation of other global targets.

Evidence obtained during the operation revealed that at least 38 children across the world were suffering sexual abuse at the hands of the members of the group. Efforts by federal, state, local and international law enforcement to locate and identify the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by Dreamboard members are ongoing.

Operation Delego is a spinoff investigation from leads developed through "Operation Nest Egg," the prosecution of another online group dedicated to the sharing and dissemination of child pornography. Operation Nest Egg was a spinoff investigation developed from leads related to another international investigation, "Operation Joint Hammer," which targeted transnational rings of child pornography trafficking.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John "Luke" Walker of the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Keith Becker of CEOS. The Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. The investigation was conducted by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, the Child Exploitation Section of ICE's Cyber Crime Center, CEOS, CEOS's High Technology Investigative Unit and 35 ICE offices in the United States and 11 ICE attaches offices in 13 countries around the world, with assistance provided by numerous local and international law enforcement agencies across the United States and throughout the world.

The investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who prey on children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers and foreign-national predators whose crimes make them deportable.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/January/13-crm-034.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the FBI

Piecing Together Digital Evidence -- The Computer Analysis Response Team

In a case involving the round-up of dozens of suspects indicted on public corruption and other charges, investigators were faced with processing large numbers of seized cell phones, desktop computers, and laptops belonging to the suspects. In another case, key evidence against a terror suspect arrested for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction included data found on his computer. And after a U.S. Congresswoman was wounded and six people killed in Arizona, vital evidence was found on security camera footage, computers, and cell phones.

Reflecting a trend that has become increasingly commonplace for law enforcement, all three of these cases involved the need to recover digital evidence. And our Computer Analysis Response Team, or CART, is the FBI's go-to force for providing digital forensic services not only to our own investigators but also in some instances to our local, state, and federal partners.

CART consists of nearly 500 highly trained and certified special agents and other professional personnel working at FBI Headquarters, throughout our 56 field offices, and within the network of Regional Computer Forensics Laboratories across the nation. They analyze a variety of digital media—including desktop and laptop computers, CDs/DVDs, cell phones, digital cameras, digital media players, flash media, etc.—lawfully seized as part of our investigations.

During fiscal year 2012, CART—while supporting nearly 10,400 investigations—conducted more than 13,300 digital forensic examinations involving more than 10,500 terabytes of data. To put that last figure into perspective, it's widely believed that the total printed content in the Library of Congress is equal to about 10 terabytes of data, so imagine the printed content of approximately 1,050 Libraries of Congress!

CART examiners are experts at extracting data from digital media…even when the media is damaged by the forces of nature or defendants attempting to prevent any data from being recovered.

The cases that CART examiners work span the gamut of FBI program areas: from cyber crimes and computer intrusions to violent crimes, financial crimes, organized crime, and national security matters. And once they have finished their forensic work, CART examiners are also available to testify in court as expert witnesses on their findings.

Because we come across computers and other digital media so often in the course of our investigative work, our CART examiners can't possibly handle every piece of media. That's why CART created a basic digital evidence training course and developed easy-to-use examination tools for field investigators—to give them the technical and legal knowledge they need to process simpler and more basic digital evidence from their cases without altering or damaging the data—which allows CART examiners to focus on more technically complex cases.

CART on the go. While much of CART's work is done in stationary facilities in the field or back at our national Headquarters, we also have six mobile CART laboratories around the country. These mobile labs are especially valuable when time is of the essence, enabling digital evidence to be examined on the spot.

CART…an evidence response team for today's high-tech environment.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/january/piecing-together-digital-evidence/piecing-together-digital-evidence