Vermillion Police Department joins South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

The Vermillion City Council convened on May 19, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, with a significant focus on the proposal for the Vermillion Police Department to join the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force as an affiliate agency.

Chief Brady presented the proposal, explaining that the ICAC Task Force was established in 1998 by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in response to the growing use of the internet by children and the rise in online child exploitation. Currently, there are 61 ICAC task forces across the United States, with the South Dakota task force being established in February 2006. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) leads this initiative, which includes 15 affiliate agencies statewide.

In 2024, the DCI received approximately 1,850 cyber tips related to child exploitation, with an average of 15 to 20 tips per year specifically concerning Vermillion. Chief Brady emphasized that joining the ICAC Task Force would enable the Vermillion Police Department to receive these tips directly, allowing local detectives to investigate cases involving potential child exploitation. The department would be equipped with a dedicated laptop for handling sensitive materials and would also benefit from training funded by the DCI.

Council members engaged in a discussion regarding the implications of joining the task force. Councilor Price expressed surprise that Vermillion had not previously been a member, noting that larger cities had historically participated. Chief Brady explained that the recent increase in tips and the growing recognition of the need for local involvement prompted the DCI to reach out to smaller agencies like Vermillion.

The council unanimously supported the motion to affiliate with the ICAC Task Force, recognizing the importance of local law enforcement's role in addressing internet crimes against children. This decision marks a proactive step in enhancing the city's capacity to respond to such critical issues, ensuring that the Vermillion Police Department is better equipped to protect its community's children from online threats.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of collaboration in combating internet crimes, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the Vermillion City Council to safeguard its residents.