CATCHING PREDATORS
SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT
By Synthia Esther
It was Monday, November 20, 2006. An over cast day, the wind ruffly blowing and dark rain clouds hovering as I parked my car in the Peach Tree City, Georgia Police Department parking lot. The entire city looked like the buildings all had a fresh coat of paint with the Police Department looking just as clean and tidy. I have heard “PeachTree City” referred to as "Stepford Wife Country". Home to a lot of pilots and airline professionals with wives who appear as well groomed as their husbands crisp blue airline uniform. It does look like an ideal place to raise a family or retire with miles and miles of golf cart and walking trails amongst protected wood lands all interconnecting the entire City.
I waited my turn to talk to the secretary at the front desk. She greeted me with a courteous smile as I asked to speak to the Chief of Police, Mr.James Murray. He was not available but Community Resource Officer Corporal H. Lackey was. Ms. Lackey is the sole officer in charge of trying to catch sexual predators in Internet chat rooms while posing as a minor. A petite brunette with a walk that is light on her feet and a smile that radiates happiness. Her eyes sparkled as we exchanged introductions.
As I interviewed Corporal Lackey her continence changed completely when discussing her life's passion and dedicated service to protecting children and minor teens against Internet predators and their crime. A single young mother herself, she confirms after over four years of service in this field that she has helped catch 19 sexual offenders of minors, with one case involving bestially and a minor. Out of those 19 offenders, 18 were prosecuted with one case still pending. I find her enthusiasm exciting and her purpose authentic.
I commented I was told by one police officer in a neighboring county that they didn't have the money to prosecute such cases. How does PeachTree City, Georgia accomplish such a feat when other Police Forces dare to try? Corporal Lackey replies; "We make it a priority". Where does the money come from? Corporal Lackey's smile broadens as she chuckles and confirms,"We could always use more money! But the dedication of all our officer's is such that we make it happen. There are a lot of sick-o's out there and the protection of minors who can't protect themselves is a top priority."
We continue to discuss child protection laws as our time comes to a close. We make tentative plans to meet again and cover the process of catching Internet predators and the prosecuting process. I thought to myself...if we had more concerned people like Corporal Lackey perhaps we would have fewer sexual predators around. Fighting crime is a never ending process to be sure. I have seen documentaries of many officers who experience "burn out" in striving to defeat crime. Then there are those who just become more dedicated.
It seems the laws, the Judges who allocate them and the expertise of your Lawyer has more to do with fighting crime or allowing it to continue than the officers who are risking their lives daily to up hold it. This is also true for those who are poor and innocent who can't afford the best representation and suffer while playing the courts game of due process. It use to be my opinion that we each have a voice and living in America that voice counts. While this is a noble thought, I am sad to admit I do not think it is true, except in the election and voting process. America is bombarded with culture changes that effect the will of the majority. If the majority of Americans simply don't care than those that do will none-the-less suffer from the consensus of the whole. Like many instances in life, it is the efforts of a few that enable a better life for many.
