New Seattle task force will tackle cyber crooks Thursday, 27 April 2000 19:46 (ET)

New Seattle task force will tackle cyber crooks

SEATTLE, April 27 (UPI) -- The state of Washington has formed a task force of state, federal and local law enforcement officers that will be on duty around the clock to respond to crimes committed in cyberspace.

"The Internet, which holds so much promise for e-commerce, entertainment and research, also has a dark side inhabited by child molesters, con men and hate mongers," said Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire. "The message we are sending today is that law enforcement in Washington has teamed up to fight Internet crime and abuse."

The new agency, Computer Law Enforcement in Washington, will be available to respond to reports of computer crimes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It also provides training and technical support to local law enforcement agencies that currently do not have the technology, manpower or expertise necessary to deal with the relatively new phenomenon of Internet crimes.

The CLEW unit will include members from the FBI, U.S. Attorney's office, Washington State Patrol, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and the state attorney general's office.

"Washington is a national leader in high technology," said Gregoire. "It's only natural that our state be similarly innovative in fighting crime orresolving consumer issues."

A major priority of the unit will be the establishment of a computer forensics laboratory that will be able to pluck evidence from computers that can be used in prosecutions. Gregoire's office recently formed a strike force of prosecutors and investigators to specifically handle Internet crime and consumer protection cases.

-- Copyright 2000 by United Press International

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-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), April 27, 2000