By Patch.com – June 2, 2022
DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — U.S. Representative Angie Craig requested $325,000 from Congress for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, she announced in a news release.
The funding, if selected for Community Project Funding, would be used for the department’s electronic crimes unit outreach and program expansion in 2023, Craig said.
“Technology has delivered incredible benefits to our communities while also posing new and significant challenges for law enforcement,” Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie said. “Our community is confronting a whole new set of threats online – from cyberstalking, elder scams, cyberbullying and more – and we need the tools to protect Minnesotans from these new and growing dangers. The funding that Representative Angie Craig has requested for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office would help us take a critical step forward in addressing and preventing the harmful side effects of being online – and we’re grateful for her assistance in securing this additional support.”
The funding would be used for a county-wide outreach program to prevent and prosecute electronic crimes, Craig said. It would also hire a forensic technician to investigate cyber crimes, she said.
“I’m proud to announce my submission for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office to receive federal support for this important project,” Representative Craig said. “These funds will allow the Sheriff’s Office to work with school districts, senior communities, domestic and sexual violence advocacy groups and other law enforcement agencies to protect our communities against the unique online threats that our residents face.”
Through Community Project Funding, Congress members can request funds for up to 15 projects in their district that would do public good, according to Craig.