Indy police unveil new cybercrime-fighting ride to protect kids
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The ICAC's state-of-the art van will combat cybercrime targeting Indy area youth. Photos: Courtesy of IMPD
The latest police vehicle hitting the streets of Indianapolis is a high-tech ride designed to protect Central Indiana kids from online predators.
Why it matters: The new mobile forensic and interview van will allow members of Indiana's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to act more effectively in cases where time and evidence are critical.
Driving the news: With the support of Indianapolis-based nonprofit kNot Today Foundation, IMPD and ISP leaders introduced the van to the community Monday at IMPD North District Headquarters.
- Founded in 2019 by former Colts head coach Frank Reich and his wife, Linda, kNot Today has a mission of bolstering child sexual abuse prevention efforts that are underfunded, fragmented and deprioritized.
- kNot Today has awarded more than $1 million in grants, distributed more than 30,000 parent guides and funded the training of 11 K-9 officers.
Threat level: According to kNot Today, one in 10 children will experience sexual abuse. But the organization's executive director, Emma Marsh, says recent national data suggests that figure could be closer to one in five.
- ISP Sgt. Christopher Cecil, the commander of the ICAC, said Indiana got around 325 cyber tips in 2005.
- Seven months into 2025, the state has already collected more than 10,000 cyber tips.
What they're saying: "Mobile forensics vehicles like the one here enable the ICAC to bring essential digital forensics capabilities directly to the point of the investigations — thereby accelerating the process of identifying victims, gathering evidence and ultimately bringing offenders to justice," Cecil said during Monday's unveiling.
How it works: The front of the van serves as a mobile lab for on-scene evidence processing.
- The back is a private interview room to capture audio and video.
- Samson, an English Lab K-9 officer trained to detect hidden devices in child sex crime cases, will also roll along with the unit.
Reality check: While the van is another vital tool, officials say the real heroes combating online predators are attentive parents.