The sexual exploitation of children is, sadly, nothing new.
Nor are any parts of the world safe from predators. We have seen several cases just lately in our area ranging from child pornography to physical sex abuse.
This week, authorities in Collin County-part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex that includes the cities of Allen, McKinney and most of Plano-announced a week-long sting operation that resulted in the arrests of 15 suspected predators on a number of charges, including the online soliciting of sex with minors and child pornography.
Fifteen suspects. In only a week. After police go through the suspects' computer hard drives, there may be more arrests forthcoming.
Hamilton County in Central Texas-population around 8,500-has made 15 arrests since late December in online stings.
And near Houston, three dozen Montgomery County men were arrested last December in a major child sexual-exploitation sting.
Those are just a few cases. Undoubtably there are more. And even worse are the many more predators out there who haven't been caught.
We commend law enforcement on their efforts to keep children safe. We hope they keep up the pressure. Online stings like these are common. We read about them in the news, we see them reported on TV. Yet they continue leading to additional arrests. Predators know the risks but still can't stay away. That's good in that such recklessness leaves them open to exposure, arrest and hopefully incarceration. But it's bad because it means children are always at risk.
Police have to be vigilant. But so do parents. It's always been hard to keep up with what your children are doing. Now that the online world is as real as the world outside, it's become even more difficult.
Still, it's essential to try. It may mean being the bad guy. It may involve some shouting and sulking. But it must be done. The real bad guys are out there. And parents are the first line of defense.