Parents and caregivers may learn more about the danger of online sexual predators at a presentation Wednesday.
Eric Szatkowski of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation will lead the gathering, titled “The Dark Side of the Internet.” It begins at 7 p.m. at the Leflore County Civic Center. Admission is free.
The event is sponsored by the Ministerial Association of Green-wood-Leflore County.
The Rev. Gregory Plata, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, said he contacted Szatkowski after reading an article about him in a national publication.
“This man is nationally known as an expert on tracking down predators on the Internet,” Plata said.
Plata said that when the ministerial association was offered the chance to make the presentation available to the public, they agreed enthusiastically.
“It’s a national problem,” he said.
Plata said he hopes to see a large turnout Wednesday.
“I just hope that parents step up to the plate to learn about something that is happening right in their children’s room because of the Internet,” he said.
Plata said that because of the nature of the content, the public discussion should be limited to those of high school age and older.
Szatkowski will speak to students of St. Francis Elementary School and then to the general public.
