Cops in Michigan are currently using Grand Theft Auto IV to root out pedophiles, CVG reports. Where before, cops would scan Internet chat rooms to catch themselves some dirty perverts, forward-thinking police are now turning their attention to online games like GTA IV to capture anybody using them to groom kids.
"Child predators are migrating from traditional methods to alternate media," stated Detective Lt. Thomas Kish of the Michigan State Police. "They are going to places where children are."
Cops are playing anything from GTA to Chess online in order to nab an Uncle Reg or two. I'm actually surprised more police haven't been doing it, either. I would have thought anti-child grooming organizations would have been all over game servers by now, but apparently not.
Either way, the cops and Destructoid have something in common -- we can play videogames all day and call it work.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
12:48 PM on 07.02.2008
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Also, shouldn't most children under the age of consent not be playing GTA IV in the first place?
Oh, fuck.
@Rockefellow: +10
Also -
The queen is hot. 'Nuff said.
Yeah, they should just let the pedophiles be.
1.) Is this effective at all?
2.) How much of my state taxes are going to pay for this crap?
that would probably be more effective than patrolling GTA servers thats for sure.
@Gregor: Queen's knight to A3
Those predators are getting craftier everyday...
Anyways, I want that job. I could pretend to be the rapee! I'm 16, it could work.
You guys know there is such a thing as parenting, right?