July 26, 2008
Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release
May 24, 2007
  en Español

Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150

Attorney General's Budget Priority Fully Funded

~ CyberCrime Unit to expand statewide ~


TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today applauded the Governor and members of the Florida Legislature for funding several important initiatives, including the expansion of the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit, in the state’s budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

"I commend the Governor and state legislature for making the safety of Floridians a top priority. This year’s budget demonstrates that commitment." Attorney General McCollum said. "With this financial assistance, we are now better able to protect children throughout the state, positioning Florida as a national leader in the fight to keep our kids safe.”

The Attorney General’s top budget priority was fully funded by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, providing $2.3 million to expand the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit throughout Florida. The six-person unit will expand to 56 statewide, providing essential resources for investigating, arresting and prosecuting internet predators and child pornographers.

Additionally, Attorney General McCollum praised the financial support provided to programs that enhance assistance to minority communities, including the provision of $100,000 for the Council on the Status of Black Men and Boys. Housed in the Office of the Attorney General, the Council is charged with conducting a systematic study of socio-economic conditions affecting black men and boys including homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rates, poverty, violence, drug abuse, death rates, disparate annual income levels, health issues and school performance. The goal of the Council is to propose measures to alleviate and correct the underlying causes of these conditions.