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Police, prosecutors and advocates describe investigation limits and prevention gaps in hearing on online grooming
Summary
At a City Council hearing convened under Resolution 260150, law enforcement described cyber‑tip triage and forensic needs while advocates and educators urged stronger prevention, standardized screening for foster youth and expanded digital literacy in schools.
Philadelphia law enforcement, federal investigators and child‑protection advocates told City Council on April 1 that online grooming and platform‑enabled exploitation require a mix of investigative resources and prevention investments.
Deputy Commissioner Frank Venor summarized how the Police Department’s Special Victims Unit receives cyber tips forwarded from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Pennsylvania ICAC task force, triages them by risk and assigns detectives to investigate. He described increased tip volumes and growing complexity as investigators encounter cross‑platform ecosystems and AI‑assisted concealment. Venor said the department has invested in digital forensics tools and specialized training and described use of an electronic detection dog, Cash, to locate concealed digital storage during warrants.
District Attorney Larry Krasner…
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