The Frederick Police Department was presented with a new, sophisticated hardware and software package, Monday, from The Safe Surfin Foundation and the Frederick Maryland Moose International Association.  Lt. Clark Pennington said the system will enable the department to conduct in-depth internet Sexual Predator Investigations and other computer forensic functions at the local level. “We were approached by these two agencies to be the first agency in the state of Maryland to receive ‘Cop In A Box’,” said Lt. Pennington.  “It’s a high-tech computer system, with extensive software that will allow us to combat internet crimes against children.  It will allow us to combat any bullying or cyber bullying.”

Ron Porter, Director of Research for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation (www.safesurfin.org) presented the unit to Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine, the FIRST “Cop-in-a-Box” system to go into service in Maryland. The Frederick Police Department was chosen as the first Maryland agency to receive this system based on our extraordinary working relationship with the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Section and the MD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. “We coordinate based on jurisdictions.  So, any time there is an internet predator within Frederick County, we coordinate with the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to conduct the investigation, gather the intelligence, gather the information to be used in prosecution.  This computer will allow us to do it more efficiently,” continued Lt. Pennington. 

 
Mr.. Eddie Worth, the Safe Surfin Foundation’s Director of Development, who also attended the presentation said “the efforts of the Moose International fraternity, which is making this acquisition and donation of these units nationwide possible, will significantly impact the investigative capability of law enforcement agencies like the Frederick Police Department, to arrest and convict those who commit the heinous crimes of soliciting and molesting children, who these predators contact on the internet”.

The “Cop-in-a-Box” unit was acquired with funds provided by the men and women of the Frederick Maryland Moose Association, Moose International.

Chief Dine said “thanks to the MD Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Safe Surfin’ Foundation and Moose International for teaming up and providing this equipment to the Frederick Police Department. We are very appreciative to have use of these tools. This effort illustrates our continued effort to increase our intelligent use of technology to help us effectively and efficiently investigate criminal activity. Continued enhancement of our technological efforts is part of our overall strategic plan and this effort comports with that strong direction in which we have taken the Frederick Police Department. This type of effort provides for significant efficiencies within our Criminal Investigations Division which is always important when resources are limited.”