High Point and Greensboro police are teaming up with the FBI on a new Triad Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force that will zero in on online child predators and a growing backlog of cybertips. The three-officer unit, based at High Point Police Department, is designed to give investigators more time and federal backup when leads cross city or state lines. Officials say the partnership comes in direct response to a sharp rise in reports of kids being targeted online.
Triad ICAC Task Force At A Glance
The task force roll-out follows what officials describe as a dramatic spike in cyber tips funneled to the state ICAC program, more than 52,000 in 2025, a surge that stretched local agencies thin, according to WXII 12. The new unit will be staffed by one investigator from High Point and two from Greensboro, and all three will be sworn with the FBI so they can follow digital trails wherever they lead. Working out of High Point Police headquarters, the team will focus on reviewing tips, identifying suspects and coordinating arrests across different jurisdictions.
What Parents Should Know
Police are urging parents to stay plugged in to what their kids are doing online. That means not allowing children to chat with strangers, steering them away from sharing personal information and considering devices that offer strong parental controls, according to guidance shared by the Greensboro Police Department on Facebook. Officers also recommend that parents step in and talk with children if they notice worrying messages or images, and report any suspected exploitation to local law enforcement.
For formal reports of possible online abuse, authorities point families to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline at National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline, and to the Greensboro Police Department for additional information and resources.
Why Officials Say The Move Was Needed
High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III said the task force is a response to how dramatically technology has changed the risks children face. “When you give a kid an electronic device, the world is gaining access to them,” he told reporters, according to WXII 12. FBI officials say the bureau will bring training, investigative support and help with jurisdictional snags when cases reach beyond the Triad. Local leaders expect the unit to spend much of its time sorting through tips so that the most serious cases get swift attention from investigators on the ground.
