I live in a small town where an unsettling trend has emerged. Numerous children have reported being photographed by strangers and being followed on foot and by cars .Our local police department maintains that no laws are being broken, but how can this not be wrong? Must we wait until a child is taken before action is taken?

The unauthorized photography of minors in public places is not just an issue in our small town; it's a nationwide concern. These photographs could potentially end up on the internet or worse, used for human trafficking purposes. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, there were over 29 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation in 2020 alone (NCMEC).

We propose legislation that makes it illegal for strangers to photograph minors without parental consent unless it's necessary for law enforcement purposes. Anyone found with such photos should face legal consequences including custodial sentences.

This law would protect our children from potential harm and exploitation while preserving their right to privacy and safety. We cannot stand by while our children are put at risk.

Please sign this petition if you believe that unauthorized photography of minors should be prohibited and punishable by law.