NASHVILLE ? In a strike against child pornography and Internet predators, Governor Phil Bredesen today announced a plan to grant $500,000 to the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police to expand Tennessee?s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Bredesen made the announcement at a news conference in Williamson County alongside local community partners of the statewide Internet crimes task force, including Franklin Mayor Tom Miller, the Franklin Police Department and the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin/Williamson County. The task force, with partners statewide, is based in the Knoxville Police Department.

?While technology has created a modern society, it also poses a new kind of threat,? Bredesen said. ?The Internet can be a window to the world for our children to learn and grow, but it needs to be properly policed and our children need to be aware of the dangers. We need to do everything in our power to help stamp out Internet crimes against children.?

Bredesen?s plan to bring state dollars to fight Internet crimes against children follows First Lady Andrea Conte?s work with the nationwide Internet Keep Safe Coalition to help educate kids on Internet safety. The funding, included in the Governor?s 2006-07 budget request, requires approval by the Tennessee General Assembly.

?We appreciate the Governor?s commitment to setting aside these funds for this important effort,? said Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin, who serves as president of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. ?We look forward to working with the Legislature to make this proposed investment a reality for our local law enforcement agencies, and for our kids.?

Tennessee?s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is part of a national network of law enforcement task forces organized by the U.S. Department of Justice. The mission: Help local law enforcement agencies respond to ?cyber-enticement and child pornography cases.?

Among other areas, Tennessee?s Internet crimes task force focuses on providing training and technical assistance to investigators; counseling and other services to victims; and community education through local partners such as schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Nine local law enforcement agencies across the state serve as partners in Tennessee?s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including: Blount County Sheriff?s Department; Campbell County Sheriff?s Department; Cookeville Police Department; Dyersburg Police Department; Franklin Police Department; Johnson City Police Department; Morristown Police Department; and Sevier County Police Department.