education and awareness

i read a post today, negative...on the subject of pd's inworld (police dept.).
Not all pd's are role play, some of us see need, and we volunteer to help in any which way we can.
as a member of this virtual world, i love it, so much i will give of myself to protect.
i have seen my pd group, organize, projecting and preparing for now, and future.
true, like u said, we dont have abilties to suspend or ban those breaking the laws. we do have same as all have, the ability to file abuse reports, as witnesses, to go along with the report sent from someone who has been abused inworld.
members of our group, have provided needs, such as uniforms, housing, etc...using their own money to provide this service... we also have a 911 service, join for easy access to help.
we have free training, which helps to establish and maintain order...
as in flesh world, we have criminals here...which cause us worry, not only for ourselves, but our self given desire to find solutions.
we live in this world, void of rules, when i started, yet now i see rules are being made, which i understand the necessity.
recently, i was profile viewing, a past time i enjoy in sl...to find someone i knew from another game...and leading to a minor child, who is underage, having this av as 'mother' in game ...role play???
i do know there are children in the adult world, many who's parents dont know, others play with parents permission.
these kids are being prepared to make money...
who, would enjoy 'role playing' a child used as a sex object, be it an adult in child role.
i can see some benefit, for an adult who has suffered trauma, to play a child, but not the sexuality which this particular child is being used...
and even then, it should be under the watchful eye of someone trained to serve...
keep in mind, the latch key children...parents both working, outside of home, and in home jobs...should a child be denied a pc due to the criminal element which lives among us?
parents can make rules, but that does not mean the child will abide...
so this character, brags lesbian life, and hoards children, 3 in profile...gives them attention, which child feels is love...
the outcomes are many, what happens to this child?
i choose this issue, as i feel this is foremost, to educate and protect...for lives are in danger...one in every five children who are propositioned to meet the pedifile, or the pedifile pimp, disappear...
when i lived in new orleans, i had a client, she was young and beautiful, but she had not had a beautiful life until recently, at the time i met her...she told me she had run away from home, being sexually abused...she said, she was kidnapped, put in room, tied to bed, drugged to numbness...and used sexually several times a day...
read 'satan's underground'...it is a true story...i have it inworld, im me i will send u copy...
it is sad we live in a world of psychotics, they have no guilt factor, nor do they care about others, only themselves...perhaps there is some place we can put these kind of ppl, so they have no effect on our society...
we would need monitoring, it would not be that hard, for tag words can be spotted.
limbo, and hell...hell for the damned, who may with help find thier way to limbo, where they can make thier final decision...and change behaviors which are not tolerable...
so in this world, without rules...we see...there is no freedom without rules...man's laws broken, morality considered an issue by few in comparison to those who do not care.
we must do whatever we can do to aid in these causes...
morals, spans largely...but adult to adult, with permission from both, may be considered immoral to some, yet many see the role playing as experiencing, and would not behave in such a manner in the flesh.
it is not a matter judging...it is an abhorrence. it is a tragedy. and for many, a terror, a horror...

so, to finish this to those who feel as the person who instigated me to explain...

for many, we may like role play of sorts, yet not finding time, as this cause is more important than a game...
it would be nice, if we could live without rules...but one example i give is...when an emergency vehicle has lights, soon as it is safe it is law to clear path...this for many, would be obvious, and natural...there is those who would block the way, and some with intentions...
it may be u, or someone u love, who needs this emergency to go smoothly.
for those of u, who cannot seem to touch base, as there is so much in this world to fear...we can offer training, we can help one another gain confidence, and become a productive member of a free society...
we choose to serve, in any way in which we find need...but we must grow, and we need one another in order to obtain and sustain life.
*LLL

So basically you are advocating in world Vigilantism because you think that actual minors are getting involved in sexual Ageplay in Second Life.



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Your post is rather difficult to follow. So if that is not it, perhaps clarify.

/me rolls up sleeves, "Oh, goody, it's been weeks since I've seen one of these threads!"

There are many in Second Life who do play parents, and many others who do play children, in *non sexual situations*. I'm one of these (hi!).

It sounds like you might be assuming that this person who's profile you read is involved in sexual ageplay based solely on them being a mother - am I reading you correctly? This can be a very poor assumption.

FWIW, I and others who play kids have had bad experience with in-world vigilantes such as yourself, so I am hardly unbiased here myself.

Mari

We have rules, known as the Terms of Service and Community Standards. As imperfect as they are, and as unwilling as the Lindens sometimes seem to be to enforce them, they along with the tools we have can go a long way to keep things in order if we would use them when the oportunity arrives.

You are within your rights to report violations you may see of course. But I hope you aren't one of those who feel it is your duty to patrol the grid, looking for violators and writing AR's like parking tickets, although it seems that has already been established. You will likely find more trouble than you bargained for. Mind your business. And stay away from me.

/me lays in a supply of candy to keep Mari going on this one.

Just because an avatar has a child-like appearance that does not, in any way, mean the player running that avatar is a child. I'd be happy to introduce you to several people that have child avatars in SL, and who are probably old enough to be your mother or father.

Some people, believe it or not, like playing the role of a child in a completely innocent and non-sexual way, as a means of shedding the cares and responsibilities of their adult life for a while. Mari is one of them, and so am I.

Unless you are able to verify that the 'child' you see in SL is actually a minor in Reality, you're just heading up a witch hunt. And if you can't actually see and talk to the person on the other end of that Internet connection, you have NO way of knowing that.

Some people, certainly, do like roleplaying adult situations in which two real-life ADULTS at the keyboard type the responses and actions for characters that may look like or act like children. It's fiction between two adults, not a whorehouse training real kids. Maybe it's reprehensible to you, and in fact, if you can prove that an actual portrayal of sextual activity involving child-appearing avatars is occurring, you can even AR the people for it. But it is NOT a minor involved in a sex act. It's two people who can't even touch each other physically, writing words and making animated dolls move on a screen. If you didn't witness the actual activity, you're just speculating that a crime *might* occur. If you DID witness it? What were you doing that allowed you to see it? Peeping into other people's skyboxes and bedrooms? I doubt they were 'doing it on the front lawn'.

I have a standard response to people like you. "You're out of your jurisdiction, officer, and have no warrant and no probable cause. Get off my property."

Thankoo, Brenda! Been gettin' a lot od dis today, with someone leaving comments on my flickr, another friend telling me about a place she was banned from, an alla dat. Seems t'go in waves sometimes!

Mari
(Who did some more work on https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/User:Marianne_McCann/Child_Avatars today)

I just point and laugh.

*Ceera puts on her child avatar and looks for Mariane, to go play tag and see who can keep a hula hoop going the longest.*

Oh maaaan, I love playin tag in-world. An I'm *really* good with a hula hoop!

(I also know where you can find stuff you made on Livingtree!)

Mari

*giggle* I got a neat yello hula hoop, and now that my Player's got a new 'puter, I can run really good for playin' tag! Mebbe I'll look for ya over by Kick The Can, once they let us back in?

that is 1 of the most f`up posts to read that i have seen in awhile...

once, i had land, on the mainland and started to build
1 of those days, a wannabe cop, came to me and said "this does not look good, you are not allowed to keep unfinished builds public", the reply he got was nothing but a "f`u

that day, at a later time, more wannabe self centerd idiocops showed up, they opend their mouth, got abused, got orbited, got crushed, ejected, frozen untill i couldn`t stand seeing them anymore (befor the 30sec freeze limit) and verbally abused like no one has been abused yet

wannabe cops in sl? LOL
wannabe cops are griefers

ran into a wannabe cop when i still had my island, he did not like what i was doing, he regretted it for a long time.... if not still...

tl;dr

While I see the OP has good intentions and is sincere about his or her efforts to improve the world, I don't know if you're organization is aware of the history of Grieving in Second Life or even the internet but perhaps you do.
I am survivor of many things in my real life and sometimes certain things do effect me online.
I would think if you're sincere about helping others there might be a better way to help others if you truly want to make SL friendlier and more welcoming place.
The word "Police" depending on your own personal or in world experience with this by many has negative impact.
Not saying that their aren't good Police out there but from my own experience the majority in world and real life do not care about protecting or aiding others, its all about a power trip.

thanx fd, u made some good points here...one of my objectives is to change the connotation the word police or cop have aquired...we cannot lose another word...
for those who like to argue, or clique...the following example is not derogative, my opinion is not stated but i use it to show how words lose meaning according to misuse, or abuse...
'gay', in days past, was used to describe being in love, being loved, enjoying feelings, happiness...and it was beyond other words...all said in one word...
now, if u say the word 'gay' very few know the original meanings...
i see this happening with the word 'love' too...becoming superficial, loving someone one day, and next day they are out of thoughts.
true, police and cop, have changed due to misbehaviors...it used to be, this title, represented honor...
perhaps, we can give back the honor in which being a peace officer, being at service to others, and integrity to bring back respect.
and yes, i have been griefed, i have been hacked 1500$ from my old bank account, one in which i had for twentyfive plus years...but they did not protect me, so i have a bank now which will.
i have been land griefed, to sell back property at less than a third of what i paid, this time, i dont care what they do, the griefers are not going to get my land...
i have not made money in world...i pay teir fees, for to play and learn to build, etc...which i have also shared for free, giving newbees temporary land to live while they gain confidence, and learn the basics...
we have many ways in which we help...griefing is not on our list,tho, i suppose thru out time, we will get those who want to role play at using weapons, which we will give them the landmarks which are set aside for this purpose...if we get report of one of our officers griefing, it will be investigated...it is important to us, to maintain a proper and orderly institution in which citizens have some inside help. we have laisons who report to lindens...we are serious, this is not a form of play.
we give up our time, efforts, and money to make this work...we have no selfish intentions...
we help in any way in which we see necessary,which is not always considered policing...
such as giving a gift for someone new to play with for enjoyment.
we have lots of ideas, and we have some of the best minds to help implement needs and wants...
we also want to make world safe...and realize many of the obstacles we face, and the limitations, which we can find solution.
for now, reporting is the best any of us inworld can do, but i feel Linden's r carrying such a big load, we as citizens must do our part.
my intention is to serve...i am a volunteer...always have been, while gaining the skills i need and are required, to serve, i wear my badge, my tag, with honor, for what it means to me...

i would like to address each and every response, but is an overload, so will do it a bit at a time...
i chose yours first, as it was sensible, and constructive...i hoped my post would inspire some, so that we can grow...we need many, there are many criminals using this virtual and other worlds...
my hope is to have a safe world. i will do whatever i can, in order to be of help...
oh and i can't wait to reply to colette and brenda for falsly accusing me of viglante activity...i think they need to apologize publically...there is nothing to warrant this accusation...
also, let me tell a little story, as us old folks like to do...my dad, he was chief of police, when he retired, he still kept his office, and found jobs to do...
it was a small town...i was then a dispatcher for the pd...with 5 paid officers, a chief, and several volunteers...
well dad, he was born in 1898, saw the first cars made, and when parking meters appeared, he did not like it...nor would he like now, paying for water, and soon perhaps air...
well, since i was age 4, he took me to the shooting range...guiding my hands, till i was able to do so on my own...
added to this training, i also at age 4 started wearing glasses...is one reason dad started my lessons, to force focus...each eye appointment, i got stronger lenses, so i thought at age fifty or so, which u all know is ancient when young, i figured i would be blind...so i learned to do things in the blind...including shooting, tho i hadnt realized dad noticed...
in this town, the radio dispatchers did not carry weapons...but daddy made bet with mayor, if i could beat the five officers at the shooting range, blind folded after seeing target, then the parking meters had to go...laughingly, the mayor agreed, as they had formal training and at this point in time, i had none...
i saw my target, i was last in line to shoot...blindfold on, i hit dead center...
first the bags covered the meters...then dad passed on...i left for the city, but about five years back, i passed thru this town, now, no more bags...no more meters, even the cement had been dug up, and covered with a lovely brick sidewalk...so u see, there is still honor in our worlds...tho sometimes like a friend, is far in between...
btw...these meters stayed in the red, as ppl did not break rules in this small town...and the meters died in the red...but the red was my dad's blood...he paid for parking to be free, in at least one town...and i look upon the sidewalk, and center of town which is also brick, in front of pd...and see my dad, he still lives in one little bricked town, void of paying to park...i know not even one of those parking buildings will ever be allowed there..and i wonder if perhaps, this has become contageous...

Lunatic fringe

can`t be arsed to read as with only a glance makes my eyes start to bleed..

PARAGRAPHS!!!!!1!!111!!11!

I'm sorry, Darling, but wasn't able to read all your post (if I ever needed an example, lol). I have to say that I've only seen a two kids inworld. I was in a shop when I noticed that I kept being bumped. I turned around and noticed two girls who were shopping and talking, oblivious to their rudeness. Bump, bump, bump...

All I could think of was "Who raised these little imps?" and "I wonder who their parents are?", etc. They were acting just like, well, kids! It was fun to see, and just like petting a dragon or dancing with a fox, it's why I love SL. I chuckled and took a few steps back, exactly what I would have done in RL. Kids will be kids, and what a sad world it would be without them. I should only hope they have Mommies.

As for sickos and maniacs, they exist everywhere but, thankfully, are in the minority. Usually, kids DO have families, (I think, not an expert) and they protect their children. They don't need your policing.

** trying to keep from replying ... arghhhh .... can't stop! ***

May I suggest you change the name of your group, because you are misusing the word "police".

"Police" are a set of government employees chartered to enforce the law. You are not employees of LL, which is the local government of SL. Further, it sounds like you have interest in enforcing morality as well as the law (in this case, law = TOS). In both these respects, you differ from police.

Groups that appoint themselves as enforcers of law, and particularly enforcers of morality, are "vigilantes", not police. Be aware that you have no more rights to enforce your view of the TOS than any other resident, and thus if you accuse other residents of TOS violations that are in fact violations of your personal set of morals/ethic, they will regard you as a griefer.

A more legitimate business would be to confine yourself to enforcing, for example, convenants within an estate's land when you are hired by an estate owner to do so. Then you would be a "Security Force" or even "Estate Mangers". Much more respectable than a vigilante, but still not police.

Darling,
I wish you Good Luck.
If you and your friends enjoy being Police officers, be it through role playing and helping others great. There is no rules against this.
If you're sincere about wanting to help others, wanting to help create safer community this is wonderful thing.
Yet there will be always people who see the concept of residential Police in questionable way.
Most important thing is do what you enjoy, as long as it not against the TOS there not much anyone else can do.
I like doing creative things and it makes me happy. It doesn't really matter if many appreciate anything I do or if it becomes profitable the important thing is I enjoy it and I am causing no else harm.

Man, of all the things to do with one's time. Why not mentor someone in real life or plant a tree or something?

"i do know there are children in the adult world, many who's parents dont know, others play with parents permission.
these kids are being prepared to make money...
who, would enjoy 'role playing' a child used as a sex object, be it an adult in child role.
i can see some benefit, for an adult who has suffered trauma, to play a child, but not the sexuality which this particular child is being used...
and even then, it should be under the watchful eye of someone trained to serve..."

nutcase leave adult babies alone. You got too much time on your hands, son.

As much as I admire your personal convictions to help those in SL to the best of your ability, I am disturbed that you feel you and the "police force" you belong to are qualified to judge the intent and suitability of those who are in SL...

I have found most things, statements, situations that happen on a regular basis in Second Life would be considered LUNATIC if taken out of context, and compared to actual, First Life considerations.


I guess my point is: until Linden Lab decides they will make an official Police Force for SL, with a posted set of laws for them to enforce, the only rules we have to live by are the Terms of Service, which seem to be clear as mud much of the time. These are the laws that any current "police force" in SL must live by, along with the rest of us.

I wonder if it will be SL 'police' groups that will be the next group to be shuttered, after banks?

Mari
(Not agreeing or disagreeing with such, jes observing)

colette,
what make u judge me to being a sdvocat of vigilantism? if u read my post, u would see if from the perspective in which i wrote..
i have been in world over two years, and not once have done anything which would affilitate me, and cause any vigilante activity at all.
in our pd, this is investigated, we do not want members to grief, and proper counsel is given.
it is reality that child sexplay happens inworld...two countries brought it to attention...so far...
there is no basic, which could warrant this false accusation...
i hope u will be as vigilant in sending your apologies as u were in writing negative post.
i do not 'think' minors are getting into game, i know so...
on web, statistics of child abuses show that of every five children who are propositioned to meet perpetrator, who in many cases, act like a teenage, and make plans to 'run away'...one if the five, disappear...
this is reality. not false accusation, like u have done without even meeting me.
my publicist says what i wrote was stable...u put the mark, that it is not in the posting rules...
u have spoken like i was the criminal, rather that the caring person i am...i do not work for money, i am on sick leave, will not return to flesh world for perhaps a year and half or two...i volunteer my time here, and do the best i can...
if u would like, i would gladly give u a psychological examination, and help u to become a person who is wise, and caring, for we all must help, or the internet will be owned by the criminals...
sometimes, it is so hard to see reality, and many folks find escape...but as we know, there is no place to hide, no place of safety...
if behavior like this continues...we stand a chance to lose this virtual world...we must take a load off of linden's, as they deal with babyish crap moreso in the adult world than in the teen world...like tagging this...itis not something which is not known by them, catching the perpetrators are another duty, which could be used, the time, to work on technical issues, and giving us new options to make our game richer...for one, and for all...a safe place to live...a fun place to play...and a place where honesty and creativity can make legal money...
plz dont bother responding, unless of course it is an apology...it is not worth the time wasted to pick at comments made...hey there are many volunteer organizations in and out of sl world...which could give u a whole new perspective...good luck

Darling: Let me see if I can state my point simply.

I beg you not to call your group "police". It really is misleading, particularly to noobs. We in the forums have seen this problem before. In real life, ALL police are employees of the local government. In this case, the government is LL. When residents see a group calling themselves "Police", it confuses them. They will think you are employees of the Lindens, officially empowered by LL to ensure their safety and that of the grid.

And you are NOT.

You have no more, or less, authority than any other group of residents.

Let me suggest some other names for your group: Angels. Guards. Security Force.

But please do not act under false pretences, which I truly believe you are now.