Alarming: Greenfield police warn parents about kids "sexting"

GREENFIELD (WITI) -- Greenfield police are alerting parents in their community to what they say is "an alarming number of cases where children have shared graphic or sexually explicit photos using their smartphones, iPods or computers through social media like Twitter, Facebook or Snapchat."

On a sunny spring day you can find a group of kids out on the basketball court. As they push for points, Jacquese Lucas is right behind them.

"I'm doing my motherly duties," said Lucas.

She's watching her 13-year-old son Landis, making sure he's safe.

"I still monitor my kids at the park," said Lucas.

And in an age of technology, that has expanded.

"I kind of go into their profiles, I have all types of passwords for their profiles and phones and I check everything," said Lucas.

Greenfield Police Chief, Brad Wentlandt, says there really isn't a reason why a parent shouldn't have a child's password.

It's a message Wentlandt is pushing. He sent a letter home to parents asking them to step it up after seeing an influx of kids sending inappropriate pictures to one another.

"I think parents are not getting actively involved in managing what their children are doing with electronic devices," said Wentlandt.

In the past week, two kids at Greenfield Middle School were caught sexting. The pictures spread throughout the school.

"Once those pictures get out, it's incredibly damaging to their reputation," said Wentlandt.

It's also highly illegal. The case has been referred over to the district attorney's office.

"If a 12-year-old sends an inappropriate picture to a 13-year-old it is child pornography," said Wentlandt.

Lucas says it doesn't surprise her at all. It's a message she understands and will continue to press.

"There's no privacy in our home because what they do at this age, parents need to be monitoring," said Lucas.

Wentlandt says these kids don't even realize they are committing a felony.

In a letter posted on the Greenfield Police Department Facebook page, officials are asking for help from parents to stop this "dangerous and destructive behavior."

The letter states, "It’s important for you as a parent to understand the consequences of this behavior and make your child aware of them. So called “sexting” carries serious penalties. Children who take nude or sexually explicit photos, and children who share them with others are committing a Class I Felony. Even though some may view these incidents as “innocent” or “kids being kids” our department takes these cases very seriously. We fully investigate all complaints and any child found to possess or distribute explicit content is referred to the Milwaukee County Children’s Court Center."

CLICK HERE to read the entire letter from Chief Bradley Wentlandt