The Bensalem Township Police Department, alongside District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo, and Director of Public Safety William McVey, held a press conference today to provide an update on the department’s ongoing Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigations.

So far this year, 17 suspected child predators have been arrested through the department’s proactive enforcement efforts. The Bensalem Police Department has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community following recent social media posts highlighting these arrests:

• 6 were for possession or distribution of Child Pornography
• 5 were for Soliciting Sex with a minor
• 6 were for Soliciting Sex and Traveling for Sex with a minor
  
  • Bensalem Police - not a minor, met ALL 6 travelers

Over the past three years, Bensalem Police have made 49 arrests related to child predator investigations involving unlawful contact with minors and related offenses.

“The safety of our children remains our top priority,” said Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo. “Our police department continues to take an aggressive approach to identifying and arresting those who prey on minors.”

District Attorney Schorn stated, “Although these 17 men were unrelenting in their pursuit of children for their own deviant sexual gratification, the Bensalem Township Police Department was unrelenting in pursuing them, and my office will be unrelenting in their prosecution.  We are proud to stand with Bensalem Township in this endeavor and grateful for their unwavering commitment to the cause.  There is no more worthy cause than protecting our children.  Because of efforts like these, Bucks County is leading the state in arrests and prosecutions of Internet Crimes Against Children.”

Director William McVey emphasized the department’s ongoing collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI. “These arrests are the result of tireless investigative work,” McVey stated. “Our officers are dedicated to tracking down offenders who use technology to exploit children. There are no jurisdictional boundaries for child predators; they can victimize our children from anywhere, and we will continue to hold them accountable and keep our children safe.”

During the press conference, officials also discussed the upcoming prosecutions, community education initiatives, and steps parents can take to help protect their children from online predators.  Parents were encouraged to stay vigilant about their children’s internet use, monitor online communications, and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement immediately.

The Bensalem Township Police Department urges anyone with information regarding child exploitation or online solicitation of minors to contact the Bensalem Police Department at (215) 633-3719 or submit a tip online through the department’s website.