Governor Rell: State Applies for Stimulus Funds

to Combat Internet Crimes Against Children

Grant of Nearly $600,000 Will Expand State and Local

Efforts to Apprehend Sexual Predators

(Listen to Gov. Rell)

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that Connecticut has applied for $584,975 in federal stimulus funds to strengthen state and local efforts to apprehend sexual predators who use the Internet to target children.

            “We will never waiver in our vigilance to bring these despicable individuals to justice,” Governor Rell said. “State and local law enforcement rely on the latest in technology and training to outwit and ultimately apprehend them. These stimulus funds will help ensure we have the best-trained investigators and the technology we need to keep our children and communities safe.”

            The Department of Public Safety, the primary investigative and computer forensic agency in the state, submitted a detailed application on April 9 to the U.S. Department of Justice for Internet crime grants available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Connecticut’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is composed of state troopers, local officers and civilians.

            Governor Rell said the federal funds will support comprehensive integrated efforts by state and local police departments through expanded training, forensic analysis, community awareness programs and upgraded technology. Among other specifics, the funds will:

• Expand the Child Sexual Predator training program for first responders at the State Police Forensic Laboratory in Meriden
• Expand Internet service, training, equipment and personnel costs for the Catch A Predator initiative for 27 specially trained local officers in undercover investigations
• Fund efforts for more “knock-and-talks,” which put officers on the ground in neighborhoods where suspects may live
• Expand student-to-student Sexual Predator Safety education to 60 schools a year by contracting with three additional Regional Education Service Centers
• Purchase desktop and laptop computers, forensic hardware, cameras and other technology upgrades

            “We are putting sexual predators on notice that they cannot hide behind the anonymity of the Internet,” Governor Rell said. “Connecticut investigators will have the time, the tools and the will to end their dangerous, twisted pursuit.”

            To view the application for the grant and for more information on the federal stimulus in Connecticut visit the state’s official stimulus Web site at: www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.