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Resident urges Boca Raton to create cyber-police capability; requests funding and volunteer support
Summary
A resident told council she has proposed forming a cyber-police unit to address cybercrime and sought support for transportation, equipment and training costs. Council did not take action; staff noted public-request procedures and referred the item for follow-up.
During the public-request portion of the March 17 meeting, resident Anastasia Colas urged the council to support creation of a specialized cyber-police capability to investigate and respond to cybercrime.
Colas said she is willing to establish a volunteer or paid cyber-police unit but asked the city to provide funding for transportation, equipment and training. She told the council there are “DNS corruption” incidents in the Boca Raton area and raised concerns about local police capacity to investigate attacks on infrastructure and supply chains. Colas said she had collected over 50 signatures supporting her proposal and requested funding; she referenced a funding need of “$700,000” as an example of possible costs for equipment and support.
The council did not act on the proposal during the meeting. Staff allowed Colas the timed public comment period and did not indicate that the city had committed funds or policy toward the formation of such a unit. No staff report, budget request, or directive to prepare an ordinance or study was recorded on the meeting record.
Colas also suggested the cyber capability could generate revenue by helping address cyber risk and assisting development, but council members did not commit to further steps during the meeting. Other residents who spoke at the meeting addressed redevelopment, recreation and infrastructure; councilmembers said staff would follow up on public-request items as appropriate.
