1. .What are the General Laws of Massachusetts?
2. I have an emergency, who answers my 911 call ?
3. Can I use a Cellular Phone to Dial 911 ?
4. Do I call the Police Department for No School Announcements ?
5. How do I get a License to Carry a Firearm?
6. How do I get advice on Crime Prevention?
7. What is the Seat Belt Law for Children?
8. Can I capture and move a wild animal?
9. What Do I do if I have an auto accident?
10. Child Internet Safety "FBI DOCUMENT"
11. Who do I contact within the HPD concerning Sex Offender Information?

2. I have an emergency, who answers my 911 call ?

The Town of Hingham Emergency Communications Center is located at police headquarters. This full computer aided dispatch center (C. A. D. ) is manned 24 hours a day by civilian dispatchers.

The Hingham Communications Center is a combined dispatch center servicing both police & f ire agencies. The Town of Hingham now has Enhanced-911 (E-911) which shows the dispatcher the Name, Address, Phone number of the callers location. This system also alerts the dispatcher to any disabilities that family members have reported to the Bell Atlantic phone company within the household. All dispatchers have been certified in Emergency Medical Diapatching(E.M.D). All dispatchers are also trained & certified to use the LEAPS/NCIC (Law Enforcement Agencies Processing System / National Crime Information Computer) computer system.

At this time the dispatch center monitors both police & fire frequencies to the neighboring towns including the Plymouth County police network servicing all towns in plymouth county. The Boston Area Police Emergency Radio Network (B.A.P.E.R.N) and Plymouth County Control which services all fire dept's within Plymouth county. The Hingham Communications center also monitors Marine / U. S. Coast Guard Ch. 12 & 16, Boston Med Flight Operations, Hingham Civil Defense, and the Hingham school bus radios.

3. Can I use a Cellular Phone to Dial 911 ?

Cellular phone calls are answered by either the No. Hampton or Framingham State Police. The call is then routed to the designated Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

Dispatcher Aaron Smith and John Gordon at Police Headquarters

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4. Its Snowing, do I call the Police Department for No School Announcements ?

Please do not call the Police Department or the Hingham Schools as these phones must be kept open for emergency calls. "No School" announcements will be made over the following radio stations: WBZ (1030 AM), WATD (95.9 FM), WBUR (90.9 FM), WJDA (1300 AM), WRKO (680 AM), WBMX (98.5 FM) and TV stations: WBZ-TV Channel 4, WCVB-TV Channel 5, WHDH-TV Channel 7.

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5. How do I get a License to Carry a Firearm?

Officer Darren McAdams is the issuing officer. Fire Arms Permits are only issued by appointment. When calling for an appointment we will need your full name, date of birth, home phone number and which permit FID/LTC you would like.

ILicense to Carry, Firearms Identification Cards

Applications for New Licenses and Renewals are processed by Appointment only.
Please call 781-749-1212 or stop in at the front desk to sign up for an appointment.

Application fees are as follows and are payable by
CASH, PERSONAL CHECKS or MONEY ORDER

LEO (Law Enforcement Officer)

Applicants must be citizens of the United States.

Applicants must reside in the Town of Hingham or be a business owner within the town

The following needs to be completed for application process:

• Completely fill out application.
• New applicants need to have a valid form of identification
• New applicants for FID/LTC need to have taken a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Basic Safety course and provide the Certificate of completion. (You do not need to take a course for Class D Restricted)
• Applicants applying for a LTC for employment purposes need to submit a letter from their employer verifying the need for the license.

From the date of the appointment, it takes approx. 4 weeks before the license is issued.

Where do I apply for an LTC or FID card?

You can apply for an FID Card or Class A or B LTC at the police department in the city or town where you live or where your principal place of business is located.

I have an FID card and a LTC. Do I need both?

No. On October 21, 1998, your current LTC will automatically become a Class A LTC until its stated expiration date.

What rules apply to hunting?

Anyone with an FID card or a Class A or B LTC may use a non-large capacity rifle or shotgun for hunting. High capacity rifles or shotguns require either a Class A or B LTC. While engaged in hunting and in possession of a hunting license, a person with an FID or a Class A or B LTC may carry a loaded or unloaded rifle or shotgun on a public way.

I obtained a license to carry prior to October 21, 1998. When does it expire? Your current license is valid until the stated expiration date. Any new LTCs issued are valid only for 4 years. The information contained in this site is intended to highlight the relevant sections of the law. It is not intended to set forth all of the obligations and rights of individuals with regard to firearms laws.

The Massachusetts Gun Control Act of 1998 has significantly changed the requirements regarding the purchase, possession, carrying, storage and licensing of firearms.

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding your rights and responsibilities under the new law.

For more information, the Large Capacity Weapon Roster is available for viewing, as is MA General Law Ch. 180, and MA General Law 358. In addition, the Secretary of Public Safety has approved a list of independent laboratories for the approved handgun roster.

Is there a statutorily appointed committee that deals with Massachusetts Firearms Laws?

Yes. The Massachusetts Gun Control Advisory Board was established pursuant Chapter 180 for the purpose of providing the Secretary of Public Safety with advice on the implementation of existing Massachusetts firearms law. The GCAB holds monthly public meetings to discuss a variety of issues that fall within the parameters of their statutory responsibility. The GCAB can be reached by either regular or electronic mail:

Mail: Massachusetts Gun Control Advisory Board
P.O. Box 663
Lee, MA 01238

Do I need an FID Card or License to Carry Firearms to possess a gun in my home?

Yes. At a minimum you need an FID Card for non-large capacity rifles and shotguns. For handguns you need either a license to carry firearms, or an FID Card combined with a Permit to Purchase firearms for the particular handgun in question.

How do I transport a gun in my vehicle?

A person with a Class "A" LTC may transport a handgun loaded or unloaded on his person or under his direct control in the vehicle. If the handgun is not under his direct control, it must be unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container. A person with a Class "B" LTC must transport handguns unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container. All persons transporting large capacity rifles and shotguns must transport them unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container. Trigger locks do not meet the requirements of securing a weapon during transport in motor vehicle.

Do I need to lock my non-large capacity rifles and shotguns in a case while transporting them in a vehicle?

No. They must be transported unloaded, but are not required to be in a locked case while transporting.

Can I leave my gun in my car if I need to go into the store on my way home from the range or from hunting?

If your handgun or large capacity rifle or shotgun is transported in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 140, §131C (i.e. unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container) then the gun may be left unattended in the vehicle. Weapons transported in this manner will automatically be considered "stored or kept" in compliance with the safe storage requirements of §131L.

Persons transporting non-large capacity rifles and shotguns are not required to secure such weapons during transport under §131C. However, they are required to properly secure those weapons whenever they are stored or kept, such is the case when they are left in an unoccupied vehicle.

As such, a person leaving a non large capacity rifle or shotgun in an unattended vehicle would be required to lock the rifle or shotgun in a case/container or in the trunk, or install a mechanical locking device on the weapon (i.e. cable or trigger lock).

Can out-of-state dealers sell firearms manufactured after October 21, 1998 to Massachusetts residents?

If a Massachusetts resident has a federal Curio and Relics license, he may purchase curio and relic firearms from out-of-state without complying with G.L. c. 140, § 123. Similarly, a Federal Firearms License which allows for the interstate purchase of handguns, may be used to purchase firearms from out-of-state without complying with G.L. c. 140, § 123. However, in both instances, the buyer must also have a Massachusetts License to Carry and he may not sell the firearm as a Massachusetts dealer.

Can an individual apply for a License to Carry from the local licensing authority of a town where he/she has a place of business?

General laws c. 140, § 131, subsection (d) states that a person residing or having a place of business within the jurisdiction of the licensing authority or any person residing in the area of exclusive federal jurisdiction located within a city or town may submit to the licensing authority an application for a Class A or Class B license to carry firearms.

Should all weapons sold within the Commonwealth be equipped with a safety lock?

General laws c. 140, § 131K states that all sales of firearms and large capacity weapons in Massachusetts MUST include a safety device approved by the colonel of state police. This requirement applies to any seller including a wholesaler. The seller is not required to install the device so long as the weapon is accompanied by it. Failure to comply with this provision will constitute a breach of warranty and an unfair trade practice. This section does not apply to non-large capacity rifles and shotguns.

If an individual buys a handgun or large capacity rifle or shotgun from a dealer, can he supply his own trigger lock to avoid paying for a new one from the dealer?

No. General laws c140, §131K states that a state approved safety device must be SOLD with the weapon. This places the burden on the dealer to provide the safety device and does not allow the dealer an option of letting the purchaser provide a trigger lock.

Are state-approved trigger locks required any time a trigger lock is used?

No. State-approved trigger locks are only required under the provisions of G.L. c. 140, §131K and apply to dealers providing them with handguns and large capacity rifles and shotguns that they sell. State-approved trigger locks are not required in any other section of chapter 140. However, most common trigger locks that would be used to help the gun owner comply with section 131L are likely to be state approved even though that approval is not required.

Should a valid holder of a License to Carry renew a Firearms Identification Card based upon notification from the Criminal History Systems Board that the FID card is about to expire?

No. An individual with a License to Carry does not also need a Firearms Identification Card. A License to Carry permits the holder to possess any weapon which would be allowed with a Firearms Identification Card as well as additional weapons depending on the Class. It should be noted that there is no provision barring an individual from holding both a License to Carry and a Firearms Identification Card.

Can a nonresident obtain a permit to carry a weapon in Massachusetts?

General laws c. 140, § 131F allows the Colonel of the State Police or his designee to issue temporary licenses to carry to nonresidents or persons not falling within the jurisdiction of a local licensing authority. Currently, the Firearms Record Bureau has been designated to issue permits to nonresidents. The Bureau may be reached at (617) 660-4780.

Is a license required to possess an air gun (i.e. bb or pellet guns, so-called air rifles or air pistols, paint ball guns) or ammunition therefor (i.e. bb's, pellets, CO2 cartridges, paint balls)?

A Firearms Identification Card is not required to possess an air gun in Massachusetts. Air guns are regulated by G.L. c. 269, § 12B which limits their use by minors who are not accompanied by an adult, holding a sporting or hunting license, or holding a permit from the chief of police. Massachusetts law also prohibits anyone from discharging air rifles from across streets, alleys, public ways or railroads or railway right of ways. It should also be noted that a Firearms Identification Card or a License to Carry are not required to purchase an air gun or ammunition therefor. As such, the state FA10 form should not be used to record the sale of such air guns.

Can a Massachusetts resident sell a gun without being a licensed dealer?

Yes. Under G.L. c. 140, § 128A, a Massachusetts resident may sell a gun provided that he lawfully possesses it with an appropriate Firearms Identification Card or License to Carry or is otherwise exempt, AND that the person buying the gun is also properly licensed with a FID Card or LTC (depending on the type of gun being bought).

How many guns a year can a person sell without being a dealer?

A properly licensed resident who is not a dealer can sell up to four guns a year through a private transfer of ownership.

Should a special form be used when selling guns through a private sale?

The state form required for private sales is an FA10. The FA10 replaced what was known as the "Blue Card" previously used for private sales. This is essentially the same form used by dealers except that instructions are included with each private sale form. This form can be obtained from any police department. The seller must fill out the form and forward it to the Criminal History Systems Board within seven days of the sale.

Do weapons purchased by Massachusetts residents while in another state have to be reported in Massachusetts?

Under G.L. c.140, § 128B, residents who purchase from someone other than a Massachusetts dealer, either within or outside the commonwealth, must report the purchase within seven days to the Criminal History Systems Board. The FA10 form, which can be obtained from any police department, is the simplest way to make such a report.

Can an individual, who is the subject of a restraining order, seek to have the judge remove the surrender portion of the restraining order with regards to weapons permits so that he/she can possess a weapon?

No. Previously, the surrender order could be lifted by the judge and guns and permits could be returned even though the restraining order remained in effect. Under recent changes in chapter 209A, section 3C, the suspension and surrender of a defendant's Firearms Identification Card or License to Carry must continue as long as the underlying restraining order is in effect.

FOR A FULL TEXT OF THE LAW, SEE CHAPTER 180 OF THE ACTS OF 1998

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6. How do I get advice on Crime Prevention?

Officers Jim Taylor and Richard Amonte are the Crime Prevention Officers for the Hingham Police Dept.. They can assist you with a Crime Prevention Survey for your home or business in Hingham.

Some Crime Prevention Tips.

• · Engrave your license # and State on your valuables.
• · Always park your car in a well lit area.
• · Never leave your pocketbook or wallet under the front seat. Leave them at home or put them in the trunk
• · Leave an outside light on at night. Proper lighting is one of the best crime deterrents.

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7. What is the SeatBelt Law for Children?

MASSACHUSETTS CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY LAW
Effective: April 9, 1997 Infants and small children must ride in car seats until:

They are at least 5 years old and weigh over 40 pounds. The types of car seats permitted include federally approved infant, toddler, convertible and booster seats. Children who weigh more than 40 pounds but are under 5 years old must ride in a booster seat. Children who are 5 years of age or older, and also weigh more than 40 pounds, must wear a seat belt that is properly adjusted. MGH Ch. 90 Sec 7AA; Ch. 90, Sec 13A Federally approved booster seats are permitted and recommended for children who weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Children using the vehicle safety belt only should not place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back.

This law applies to children riding in:

All types of privately owned vehicles. Vehicles for hire, including taxi cabs. It is the responsibility of the child's parent or caregiver to provide the car seat for use in a taxi cab. The driver of a taxi will not be fined if he/she does not provide a car seat.

The law does not apply to:

Children riding in school buses. Children riding in a vehicle made before July 1, 1966 that does not have safety belts.Children physically unable to use either a conventional car seat or a child restraint specifically designed for children with special needs. Inability to use a child restraint of either type must be certified in writing by a physician.

The Safest Place For Children Is In The Back Seat

Fine: The driver will be fined $25.00 for each unrestrained child.

Note: This is a primary enforcement law. A police officer may stop your car if one or more children are riding unrestrained. No other reason is needed.

For more information call the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau at (617) 727-5073, or the Injury Prevention and Control Program, Ma. Dept. Of Public Health Toll Free 1-800- 227SAFE.

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8. Can I capture and move a wild animal?

MOVING WILD ANIMALS IS AGAINST THE LAW

Capturing a wild animal and releasing it in another area is prohibited by Massachusetts law. Rabies in raccoons is spreading throughout the eastern United States. Moving animals from one area to another may spread this disease to new areas. To protect people and wildlife, Do Not Relocate, Problem Wildlife! Wild animals sometimes damage homes, gardens and lawns. Often people want to catch the problem animals and release them someplace else. Massachusetts law prohibits moving any live wild animal from one area to another. This law has been in effect for many years, protecting both humans and wildlife.

Here are some reasons wild animals should not be relocated:

Capturing a wild animal and releasing it somewhere else may spread disease(s) into populations of animals (including pets) that did not have the disease(s) previously. Diseases such as Rabies and Canine Distemper have been spread by people who captured an animal in one area and released it somewhere else.

Wild animals already live where you release your problem animal. Wherever you plan to release a problem animal, there are already resident animals with established territories competing among themselves for food and denning sites. When a new animal is introduced, competition for these limited resources is intensified, causing increased social stress and conflict within the resident population, as well as hardship or death for the introduced animal.

Relocated animals often return to where you caught them. Squirrels, raccoons and other wildlife can return from translocations of 5, 10, or even 15 miles. Such animals are more likely to be killed by automobiles or succumb to other accidents as they cross unfamiliar areas while attempting to return to their original territories.

elocation only transfers your problem to someone else. In an unfamiliar territory, an animal accustomed to living near people is likely to seek out human habitations and damage someone else's property.

Moving animals does not solve the problem. Within a short period of time, other individuals of the same or another species will move in, unless food (garbage, pet food, grain) is removed, and access to gardens, chimneys and attics is blocked.

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9. What Do I do if I have an auto accident

Hello, My name is officer RICHARD H AMONTE. I have been a Hingham police officer for twenty two years. At present, My job is traffic safety officer and accident investigator. First I would like to welcome you to our web page and secondly I would like to help you with one of the most frequently asked questions " what do I do if I have an accident"

Here are some suggestions and information that will make a bad situation (motor vehicle accidents) transition easier.

"EVERY PERSON OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH ANY PERSON IS KILLED OR INJURED OR IN WHICH THERE IS DAMAGE IN EXCESS OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ANY ONE VEHICLE OR OTHER PROPERTY SHALL, WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER SUCH ACCIDENT, REPORT IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR ON A FORM APPROVED BY HIM AND SEND A COPY THEREOF TO THE POLICE DEPT. HAVING JURISDICTION ON THE WAY WHERE SUCH ACCIDENT OCCURRED". THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT IS:

DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF ACCIDENT.OPERATORS NAME, ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH, AND LICENSE NUMBER AND STATE. "check for expiration date"

MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION. OWNERS NAME AND ADDRESS, THE REGISTRATION NUMBER AND STATE, (CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE)THE MOTOR VEHICLE YEAR, MAKE, TYPE, AND INSURANCE COMPANY.

A DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGE TO MOTOR VEHICLE, EXTENT, AND WHERE.

I HOPE THIS INFORMATION WAS HELPFUL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT ME THROUGH E-MAIL:ramonte@hpd.org.

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10. Child Internet Safety

A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

Dear Parent:

Our children are our Nation's most valuable asset. They represent the bright future of our country and hold our hopes for a better Nation. Our children are also the most vulnerable members of society. Protecting our children against the fear of crime and from becoming victims of crime must be a national priority.

Unfortunately the same advances in computer and telecommunication technology that allow our children to reach out to new sources of knowledge and cultural experiences are also leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and harm by computer-sex offenders.

I hope that this pamphlet helps you to begin to understand the complexities of on-line child exploitation. For further information, please contact your local FBI office or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

Louis J. Freeh, Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Introduction

While on-line computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizons and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, they can be exposed to dangers as they hit the road exploring the information highway. There are individuals who attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of on-line services and the Internet. Some of these individuals gradually seduce their targets through the use of attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts. These individuals are often willing to devote considerable amounts of time, money, and energy in this process. They listen to and empathize with the problems of children. They will be aware of the latest music, hobbies, and interests of children. These individuals attempt to gradually lower children's inhibitions by slowly introducing sexual context and content into their conversations.

There are other individuals, however, who immediately engage in sexually explicit conversation with children. Some offenders primarily collect and trade child-pornographic images, while others seek face-to-face meetings with children via on-line contacts. It is important for parents to understand that children can be indirectly victimized through conversation, i.e. "chat," as well as the transfer of sexually explicit information and material. Computer-sex offenders may also be evaluating children they come in contact with on-line for future face-to-face contact and direct victimization. Parents and children should remember that a computer-sex offender can be any age or sex the person does not have to fit the caricature of a dirty, unkempt, older man wearing a raincoat to be someone who could harm a child.

Children, especially adolescents, are sometimes interested in and curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material. They may be moving away from the total control of parents and seeking to establish new relationships outside their family. Because they may be curious, children/adolescents sometimes use their on-line access to actively seek out such materials and individuals. Sex offenders targeting children will use and exploit these characteristics and needs. Some adolescent children may also be attracted to and lured by on-line offenders closer to their age who, although not technically child molesters, may be dangerous. Nevertheless, they have been seduced and manipulated by a clever offender and do not fully understand or recognize the potential danger of these contacts.

This guide was prepared from actual investigations involving child victims, as well as investigations where law enforcement officers posed as children. Further information on protecting your child on-line may be found in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Child Safety on the Information Highway and Teen Safety on the Information Highway pamphlets.

• What Are Signs That Your Child Might Be At Risk On-line?
• Your child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night.
• Most children that fall victim to computer-sex offenders spend large amounts of time on-line, particularly in chat rooms. They may go on-line after dinner and on the weekends. They may be latchkey kids whose parents have told them to stay at home after school. They go on-line to chat with friends, make new friends, pass time, and sometimes look for sexually explicit information. While much of the knowledge and experience gained may be valuable, parents should consider monitoring the amount of time spent on-line.
• Children on-line are at the greatest risk during the evening hours. While offenders are on-line around the clock, most work during the day and spend their evenings on-line trying to locate and lure children or seeking pornography.
• You find pornography on your child's computer.
• Pornography is often used in the sexual victimization of children. Sex offenders often supply their potential victims with pornography as a means of opening sexual discussions and for seduction. Child pornography may be used to show the child victim that sex between children and adults is "normal." Parents should be conscious of the fact that a child may hide the pornographic files on diskettes from them. This may be especially true if the computer is used by other family members.
• Your child receives phone calls from men you don't know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don't recognize.
• While talking to a child victim on-line is a thrill for a computer-sex offender, it can be very cumbersome. Most want to talk to the children on the telephone. They often engage in "phone sex" with the children and often seek to set up an actual meeting for real sex.
• While a child may be hesitant to give out his/her home phone number, the computer-sex offenders will give out theirs. With Caller ID, they can readily find out the child's phone number. Some computer-sex offenders have even obtained toll-free 800 numbers, so that their potential victims can call them without their parents finding out. Others will tell the child to call collect. Both of these methods result in the computer-sex offender being able to find out the child's phone number.
• Your child receives mail, gifts, or packages from someone you don't know.
• As part of the seduction process, it is common for offenders to send letters, photographs, and all manner of gifts to their potential victims. Computer-sex offenders have even sent plane tickets in order for the child to travel across the country to meet them.
• Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
• A child looking at pornographic images or having sexually explicit conversations does not want you to see it on the screen.
• Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
• Computer-sex offenders will work very hard at driving a wedge between a child and their family or at exploiting their relationship. They will accentuate any minor problems at home that the child might have. Children may also become withdrawn after sexual victimization.
• Your child is using an on-line account belonging to someone else.
• Even if you don't subscribe to an on-line service or Internet service, your child may meet an offender while on-line at a friend's house or the library. Most computers come preloaded with on-line and/or Internet software. Computer-sex offenders will sometimes provide potential victims with a computer account for communications with them.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Child Is Communicating With A Sexual Predator On-line?

• Consider talking openly with your child about your suspicions. Tell them about the dangers of computer-sex offenders.
• Review what is on your child's computer. If you don't know how, ask a friend, coworker, relative, or other knowledgeable person. Pornography or any kind of sexual communication can be a warning sign.
• Use the Caller ID service to determine who is calling your child. Most telephone companies that offer Caller ID also offer a service that allows you to block your number from appearing on someone else's Caller ID. Telephone companies also offer an additional service feature that rejects incoming calls that you block. This rejection feature prevents computer-sex offenders or anyone else from calling your home anonymously.
• Devices can be purchased that show telephone numbers that have been dialed from your home phone. Additionally, the last number called from your home phone can be retrieved provided that the telephone is equipped with a redial feature. You will also need a telephone pager to complete this retrieval.
• This is done using a numeric-display pager and another phone that is on the same line as the first phone with the redial feature. Using the two phones and the pager, a call is placed from the second phone to the pager. When the paging terminal beeps for you to enter a telephone number, you press the redial button on the first (or suspect) phone. The last number called from that phone will then be displayed on the pager.
• Monitor your child's access to all types of live electronic communications (i.e., chat rooms, instant messages, Internet Relay Chat, etc.), and monitor your child's e-mail. Computer-sex offenders almost always meet potential victims via chat rooms. After meeting a child on-line, they will continue to communicate electronically often via e-mail.
• Should any of the following situations arise in your household, via the Internet or on-line service, you should immediately contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
• Your child or anyone in the household has received child pornography;
• Your child has been sexually solicited by someone who knows that your child is under 18 years of age;
• Your child has received sexually explicit images from someone that knows your child is under the age of 18.

If one of these scenarios occurs, keep the computer turned off in order to preserve any evidence for future law enforcement use. Unless directed to do so by the law enforcement agency, you should not attempt to copy any of the images and/or text found on the computer.

What Can You Do To Minimize The Chances Of An On-line Exploiter Victimizing Your Child?

• Communicate, and talk to your child about sexual victimization and potential on-line danger.
• Spend time with your children on-line. Have them teach you about their favorite on-line destinations.
• Keep the computer in a common room in the house, not in your child's bedroom. It is much more difficult for a computer-sex offender to communicate with a child when the computer screen is visible to a parent or another member of the household.
• Utilize parental controls provided by your service provider and/or blocking software. While electronic chat can be a great place for children to make new friends and discuss various topics of interest, it is also prowled by computer-sex offenders. Use of chat rooms, in particular, should be heavily monitored. While parents should utilize these mechanisms, they should not totally rely on them.
• Always maintain access to your child's on-line account and randomly check his/her e-mail. Be aware that your child could be contacted through the U.S. Mail. Be up front with your child about your access and reasons why.
• Teach your child the responsible use of the resources on-line. There is much more to the on-line experience than chat rooms.
• Find out what computer safeguards are utilized by your child's school, the public library, and at the homes of your child's friends. These are all places, outside your normal supervision, where your child could encounter an on-line predator.
• Understand, even if your child was a willing participant in any form of sexual exploitation, that he/she is not at fault and is the victim. The offender always bears the complete responsibility for his or her actions.
• Instruct your children:
• to never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met on- line;
• · to never upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet or on-line service to people they do not personally know;
• · to never give out identifying information such as their name, home address, school name, or telephone number;
• · to never download pictures from an unknown source, as there is a good chance there could be sexually explicit images;
• · to never respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing;
• · that whatever they are told on-line may or may not be true.

Frequently Asked Questions:

My child has received an e-mail advertising for a pornographic website, what should I do?

• Generally, advertising for an adult, pornographic website that is sent to an e-mail address does not violate federal law or the current laws of most states. In some states it may be a violation of law if the sender knows the recipient is under the age of 18. Such advertising can be reported to your service provider and, if known, the service provider of the originator. It can also be reported to your state and federal legislators, so they can be made aware of the extent of the problem.

Is any service safer than the others?

• Sex offenders have contacted children via most of the major on-line services and the Internet. The most important factors in keeping your child safe on-line are the utilization of appropriate blocking software and/or parental controls, along with open, honest discussions with your child, monitoring his/her on-line activity, and following the tips in this pamphlet.

Should I just forbid my child from going on-line?

• There are dangers in every part of our society. By educating your children to these dangers and taking appropriate steps to protect them, they can benefit from the wealth of information now available on-line.

Helpful Definitions:

Internet - An immense, global network that connects computers via telephone lines and/or fiber networks to storehouses of electronic information. With only a computer, a modem, a telephone line and a service provider, people from all over the world can communicate and share information with little more than a few keystrokes.

Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs) - Electronic networks of computers that are connected by a central computer setup and operated by a system administrator or operator and are distinguishable from the Internet by their "dial-up" accessibility. BBS users link their individual computers to the central BBS computer by a modem which allows them to post messages, read messages left by others, trade information, or hold direct conversations. Access to a BBS can, and often is, privileged and limited to those users who have access privileges granted by the systems operator.

Commercial On-line Service (COS) - Examples of COSs are America Online, Prodigy, CompuServe and Microsoft Network, which provide access to their service for a fee. COSs generally offer limited access to the Internet as part of their total service package.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) - Examples of ISPs are Erols, Concentric and Netcom. These services offer direct, full access to the Internet at a flat, monthly rate and often provide electronic-mail service for their customers. ISPs often provide space on their servers for their customers to maintain World Wide Web (WWW) sites. Not all ISPs are commercial enterprises. Educational, governmental and nonprofit organizations also provide Internet access to their members.

Public Chat Rooms - Created, maintained, listed and monitored by the COS and other public domain systems such as Internet Relay Chat. A number of customers can be in the public chat rooms at any given time, which are monitored for illegal activity and even appropriate language by systems operators (SYSOP). Some public chat rooms are monitored more frequently than others, depending on the COS and the type of chat room. Violators can be reported to the administrators of the system (at America On-line they are referred to as terms of service [TOS]) which can revoke user privileges. The public chat rooms usually cover a broad range of topics such as entertainment, sports, game rooms, children only, etc.

Electronic Mail (E-Mail) - A function of BBSs, COSs and ISPs which provides for the transmission of messages and files between computers over a communications network similar to mailing a letter via the postal service. E-mail is stored on a server, where it will remain until the addressee retrieves it. Anonymity can be maintained by the sender by predetermining what the receiver will see as the "from" address. Another way to conceal one's identity is to use an "anonymous remailer," which is a service that allows the user to send an e-mail message repackaged under the remailer's own header, stripping off the originator's name completely.

Chat - Real-time text conversation between users in a chat room with no expectation of privacy. All chat conversation is accessible by all individuals in the chat room while the conversation is taking place.

Instant Messages - Private, real-time text conversation between two users in a chat room.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) - Real-time text conversation similar to public and/or private chat rooms on COS.

Usenet (Newsgroups) - Like a giant, cork bulletin board where users post messages and information. Each posting is like an open letter and is capable of having attachments, such as graphic image files (GIFs). Anyone accessing the newsgroup can read the postings, take copies of posted items, or post responses. Each newsgroup can hold thousands of postings. Currently, there are over 29,000 public newsgroups and that number is growing daily. Newsgroups are both public and/or private. There is no listing of private newsgroups. A user of private newsgroups has to be invited into the newsgroup and be provided with the newsgroup's address.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Office of Crimes Against Children
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Room 4127
Washington, D.C. 20535
Telephone (202) 324-3666

Who do I contact within the HPD concerning Sex Offender Information?

Detective McInnis is the officer assigned to show residents Level II and III sex offenders in town. For more information, please visit the state's website at: http://www.state.ma.us/sorb/

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