NYPD To Launch 'Child Exploitation Tracking' System
BY LIZ GOFF

City police officials are preparing to sign a $542,000 deal with Microsoft to bring the software giant's highly acclaimed Child Exploitation Tracking System, or CETS, to neighborhoods throughout the city.

The system, which is currently being used by cops in Toronto, will connect the NYPD with law enforcement agencies worldwide, giving police valuable information that will help them track down and arrest child predators, in particular those who solicit youngsters online.

The CETS system would currently link NYPD precincts and Sex Crime Units with law enforcement agencies in Canada, Italy, Chile, Brazil, Great Britain and Indonesia, enabling cops to access information on child predators who leave the U.S. when the heat is on them, according to one Queens sex crimes detective.

"We've been hearing about the effectiveness of this system for a few years," the detective said. "It's supposed to provide foolproof leads to lowlifes who set up 'meets' with young kids. The price might be high, but let's face it- a system that puts these guys behind bars is worth whatever it costs."

Queens police officials said they expect the system to be in place by early 2008. "It might arrive sooner, but that's the expected delivery date," the officials said.

Meanwhile, Queens cops are urging parents to take steps to protect children and young adults who, they said, are "the bull's eye on the target" of child sex predators.

Cops are urging parents to teach children about the dangers of speaking with strangers and following them, regardless of the ploy they use to entice the youngsters.

Parents who need help with the discussions can turn to officials at the Thomas M. Quinn Funeral Home in Long Island City, through which a series of discussions and demonstrations is offered through the "Escape School" program sponsored by Quinn parent company SCI.

The demonstrations, conducted by Quinn Vice President George Stamatiades, offer kids a number of hands-on methods they can use to stop predators from snatching them off the street.

"We tell kids and parents that there are ways to escape from predators," said Stamatiades. "For example, if someone gets a child in a car, the kid should look to see if there is a key in the ignition. If there isn't, tear a button off your clothing or find something to jam in the ignition to prevent the predator from driving off. Then we tell them to find a way out of the vehicle- and run like the dickens. We show kids what and where the ignition is and we let them find a way to jam it."

Stamatiades said he has taken the Escape School message to at least 500 youngsters ages 6 to 13 over the last five years through demonstrations at schools, library branches and community meetings.

"It's amazing how kids come up with plans of their own after listening to what we have to say," said Stamatiades.

Queens cops said back-to-school preparations should include a visit to a local police precinct, the Queens District Attorney's Office or other participating firms or agencies that provide free photos and fingerprinting of children.

Parents in Long Island City and Astoria can take children to the offices of Immigration Advocacy Services at 24-40 Steinway St. to obtain a free Child Identification Kit.

Director Antonio Meloni said his staff will take photos and fingerprint children,

then compile all identification data on a chart and on disc for parents to hold in case they ever need to provide information to law enforcement agencies.

Meloni said parents should file duplicate information dossiers at local police precincts as a back-up file. All information should be updated annually to guarantee that parents and police have current photos, along with height, weight and other pertinent information that can be used to identify children.

The free Child Identification services are available at the Steinway Street location on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Meloni said.

Parents wishing to obtain the services should bring their own photo ID, along with a birth certificate and other documents proving they are the child's legal guardian.

A similar service is available through the Queens District Attorney's office, said a spokesperson for Queens D.A. Richard Brown. All Child Identification Kits prepared by the District Attorney's staff will be duplicated and kept on file for use in tracking missing children, the spokesperson said.

For information call the Queens District Attorney's Office at 718-286-6400.

Stamatiades said he urges parents who attend Escape School demonstrations to prepare Child Identification Kits for each of their children. "We are not equipped to provide the services, but we strongly urge parents to create a kit and hold on to it.," Stamatiades said.

"We tell them it is our goal, and the goal of law enforcement, to never use the kit. But, sadly, it is a necessity- a vital tool that parents should create and update on an annual basis."

For information on Escape School Demonstrations or to schedule a demonstration for your school, civic or community organization call Stamatiades at 718-721- 9200.