Barrington PD respond to ACLU criticism

By News Staff

news@abc6.com

The Barrington Police Chief is defending his department’s handling of three sexting cases involving minors.

This comes after the ACLU criticized the way police enforced social media laws against children, calling them over-zealous and criminalizing. They were referring to the way police responded to three incidents in which minors sent of posted naked photos.

"It simply should not be a matter for police involvement. In some instances it may require school discipline, suspensions, or something like that. If it’s activity that occurs in school, it certainly will often require parents to get together with counselors or other school officials," said ACLU Executive Director, Steven Brown.

Chief Lacrosse says, in a written response, that he believes they acted appropriately. He says not one juvenile was handcuffed or brought into custody, but instead, the matter was discussed with the children’s parents and brought to a juvenile hearing board, not to family court.

Lacrosse wrote, "All juveniles received counseling from the board members regarding the negative consequences of their actions.  One juvenile had to write a letter of apology and a second a research project to assist the police in educating other juveniles about internet safety and proper use."

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