Governor Nixon is visiting cyber crimes task forces today to announce grant awards for law enforcement throughout the state.

Gov. Nixon and Ofcr. Mike Lederle 13 multi-jurisdictional departments will receive $1.5 million in funding.

Nixon says as technology grows, it’s important to provide funding to keep up with the crimes that come with it.

Nixon made the announcement at the Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force in Boone County, which covers seven surrounding counties. Then he traveled to Southeast Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force in Poplar Bluff.

The Boone County task force says the money will hopefully go to hire additional investigators to follow up on cell phone crimes against children, which is on the rise as cell phones become more advanced, and more prevalent among youth.

The federal funds will be allocated to regional law enforcement agencies through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Justice Assistance Grant Program.

The money will be distributed as such:

Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force in Boone County (also serves Audrain, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard and Randolph counties) — $194,479.

Regional Computer Crime Education & Enforcement Group in Clayton — $178,270.

South Central Missouri Computer Crime Task Force in Dent County — $5,759.

Northeastern Jackson County Cyber Crimes Working Group in Independence — $138,066.

Southwestern Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force in Joplin — $182,319.

Multi-jurisdictional Cyber Crime Unit in Kirksville — $49,035.

Operation Cyber-safe at the Missouri Department of Social Services — $97,411.

The Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force in Platte County — $208,591.

2010 Internet Cyber Crime Initiative in Springfield — $82,323.

St. Charles County Internet Crimes Against Children program — $128,600.

Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Computer Forensic Unit — $56,245.

Tri-lakes Regional Internet Crimes Task Force in Taney County — $115,617.

Photo by Jessica Machetta

Gov. Nixon announces grant to help fight cyber crime [Listen/download Mp3 – 7:07 min.]