History
Safe Surfin' began
in 2000 as a foundation supporting the educational activities of Operation Blue
Ridge Thunder (BRT), the Bedford County Sheriff Office's Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force.
BRT first began operations in 1997 and received federal funding in 1998. Under
Sheriff Mike Brown, BRT has become internationally known for cracking tough
cases and finding pedophiles lurking on the Internet.
Mission Statement
The Safe Surfin' Foundation provides parents, teachers and school administrators, law enforcement, community groups and librarians with the information and resources necessary to keep children safe and their exploration of the Internet fun.
The Need
Children and teens
are increasingly using the Internet - for finding information for school
projects, for games and entertainment, and for communicating with friends.
Unfortunately, as more and more children use the Internet, it's also used in
increasingly cunning ways by criminals to abduct and exploit those children.
The only way to ensure the safety of the millions of children who use the
Internet each day is through education - becoming informed about the problem and
learning ways to keep children free from harm.
What Safe Surfin' Does
Through its
interactive website, special events, materials, PSAs, and other educational
opportunities, Safe Surfin' educates the public about Internet crimes involving
children.
Safe Surfin' works with the U.S. Department of Justice, school systems, public
libraries that offer Internet access, law enforcement agencies, and corporate
sponsors to further its mission.
Safe Surfin' seeks donations from individuals and corporations to further its
mission. The Foundation is tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.
Contact Us
Robin Sundquist, Executive Director
Safe Surfin' Foundation
P.O. Box 31
Bedford, VA 24523
E-mail:
rsundquist@bedfordsheriff.org
Phone: (540) 527-SAFE (7233)