Bill would give Computer Crimes Unit more resources

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Democratic Senator Bill Diamond is calling for more money to fund the Maine State Police’s Computer Crimes Unit.

Diamond has submitted a bill that calls for adding four more forensic computer analysts to the unit at a cost of 300-thousand dollars. A worthy use of state funds Diamond says, but a tough sell in tight times. Diamond told members of a legislative commitee Friday it’s time to set priorities and protecting children should one of them.

At the unit’s headquarters in Vassalboro there are 560-pieces of evidence that have not been looked at yet because there’s not enough staff.

“We’ve got evidence, 20-feet from an empty desk that would take predators off the street, save kids from being molested and tortured in some cases but we can’t get to it because we don’t have people to do that. To me that’s the ultimate crime, it’s outrageous”, Diamond testified.

The Criminal Justice Committee will take up the bill again on March 1st.

NEWS CENTER

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/189877/2/Bill-would-give-Computer-Crimes-Unit-more-resources