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In August, a
Show Me
Rent to Own employee in Dexter Missouri found child pornography on a rented computer.
The employee reported the illegal material to local police. Detectives found
additional child pornography in the suspects home. As a
result, warrants were issued and the suspect is in custody.
A surprising number of readers reported that, at some point in
the past, they too had found illegal material on rented
computers and reported it to authorities, only to have the
computer confiscated and never returned. These readers were
quick to point out that losing a computer is a small price to
pay for protecting children and would gladly do it again if
necessary.
A few readers questioned the legality of viewing
files on a computer being serviced. According to Scott Holste,
spokesman for the Missouri Attorney Generals office, there are
no specific restrictions in Missouri that would limit the
ability of service technicians from viewing computer files in
the normal course of service and reporting suspected illegal
activity. Mr. Holste explained "While there may be federal
privacy issues, we are unaware of any specific restrictions at
this time."
RTO Online has been running a poll since August asking the question: Should a Rent to Own
company report suspected child pornography found on a rented computer? 95.89%
said Yes, 4.11% said no.
Most were of the opinion that, despite the possible downside,
they would
rather stand in front of a jury and pay the price for violating
a pornographers privacy than live with the knowledge that their
lack of action put children at risk.
In addition to polling, we accepted comments on the issue. Comments were 100%
in favor of reporting. Below is a sample
of comments received.
| Should a Rent to Own
company report suspected child pornography found on a
rented computer? |
new
I work for a Rent To Own Company in New Hampshire I am
completely in favor of reporting anything illegal we find
to the police. Most of the time we are so busy we haven't
the time to look and see what the former person was doing
on computer let alone probe for illegalities. I have a
computer on service for over a year now because we
contacted the police regarding a computer with Child Porn
on it and their case log is way backed up, and the
arresting officer tells me it more than likely will be
over a year before we get it back, and this I am not real
happy about, but I would do it again to get these demented
abusers of innocence off the streets. |
| DEFINITELY! |
| Some may say that it is invasion of
privacy, but what about the child's privacy.. It has been
taken away from them, so it is only right we do the same
to the criminal.... |
| Anyone who votes "no" ought to be
reported. |
| I give a pat on the back to the employees
of show-me rent to own. I think they did the right thing.
It is good to see that that a community business is
helping keep our community safer! |
| How could anyone not report it? |
| I have done so, but the down fall is the
FBI confiscated the computer and never returned it, we had
to charge it off |
| Children need all the help they can
receive |
| I also, believe that those who respond to
this question with an answer of 'No' should be reported to
the proper authorities as well. |
| I also, believe that those who responded
to this question with an answer of 'No' should be reported
to the proper authorities as well. |
| Without a doubt, Report it immediately. |
| By ALL MEANS !! |
| I have had computers returned with this
problem |
| It would seem wrong not to |
| this is sick and these people need to be
found out |
| All crimes against children should be
reported, regardless of how or who discovers them. |
| Take the poll |
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RTO Online is the official channel for Rent-to-Own Industry News and the
only independent source of news for the rent-to-own, rental-purchase,
lease-purchase trade. RTO Online (Rent to Own Online) represents the choice
of the entire RTO Industry for trusted information, as it happens. |
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