For Immediate Release

January 29, 2014

 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida families are safer today than at any time over the past four decades.  Building on a 42-year low crime rate, and on the path to a 43 year crime low, Governor Rick Scott’s “It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget” provides a 6 percent increase in FDLE’s budget, investing in crime prevention systems, training, and expanding cyber-crime capabilities.
 
Governor Scott’s budget recommends $2.8 million to begin the replacement of Florida’s aging Computerized Criminal History system, the state’s central repository for criminal history records.  Created in the early 1970’s, the system contains records for more than 6 million Florida arrestees and is accessed thousands of times each day by criminal justice agencies, businesses and the public.
 
Governor Scott’s budget proposes $3.2 million to stabilize the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund.  The fund was established to provide ongoing education and training to Florida law enforcement, correctional and probation officers through 40 training centers statewide. 
 
To meet the need for additional expertise to investigate malicious cyber-attacks against Florida businesses and citizens, Governor Scott’s budget provides nearly $1 million for nine additional positions to expand FDLE’s regional cyber-crime teams. 
 
Governor Scott’s “It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget” also funds FDLE’s Biometric ID System upgrade, Florida’s central repository for fingerprint records, 36 full-time positions in FDLE’s Firearm Purchase Program to keep up with growing demand and support of FDLE critical information systems and laboratory equipment. 
  
“Governor Scott’s budget provides the new tools and manpower we need to modernize Florida’s Computerized Criminal History system, and meet the growing demands for cyber-crime investigations,” said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey. 
 
“Florida’s Sheriffs would like to thank Governor Scott for making the safety of Florida families one of his highest priorities,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “These funds will help enhance the existing resources of local law enforcement that will help keep communities throughout Florida safe.”
“Governor Scott’s budget recommendations are an investment to keep Florida crime trends low,” said Florida Police Chiefs Association President and Springfield Police Department Chief Philip Thorne.  “These additional resources will benefit every Florida law enforcement officer, every Florida community and every Florida family.” 
“Governor Scott understands that quick access to information is critical for our officers,” said Green Cove Springs PD Chief Robert Musco, chair of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.  “Whether we're learning that a person stopped for speeding has an arrest warrant or researching a suspect in a criminal case, we are only as good as the information we have.”
 
“Law enforcement training is at the center of an effective, efficient and safe police force,” said Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton, chair of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.  “I thank Governor Scott for his commitment to keeping Florida families safe.”
 
“Governor Scott recognizes that small businesses are among the most likely targets for cyber-attacks like intrusion and denial of service attacks,” said Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Rick McAllister. “These additional resources will help Florida families and small businesses become less vulnerable to these attacks.”
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Samantha Andrews or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001