By Sascha Cordner
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-990590.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – In about a week, Florida Law enforcement officials have arrested 35 people in an undercover sex sting operation to catch online sexual offenders. As Sascha Cordner reports, there are tips both parents AND children can follow to prevent these online predators from entering their home.
This week, several local law enforcement agencies, including the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff's Office, participated in Operation TallyOp, the biggest undercover sex sting operation of its kind in Florida. Mike Phillips is the Assistant Special Agent at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He says children should be aware of some red flags that could indicate a potential online predator:
"Anybody who starts asking them question that starts making them feel uncomfortable or is discussing things that they just know is inappropriate for an online friend that they have met. And, absolutely if someone sends them gifts or sends them adult pornography. We see that as a way that a lot of these guys try to lower their inhibitions and try to make it seem normal this type of activity that they're asking the kids to participate in."
Phillips says children who think they are in those types of situations should alert their parents and law enforcement right away. Some tips he has for parents include using online filtering and monitoring software. He also suggests people visit secureflorida.org for more preventative tips.