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Resident urges Boca Raton to form cyber police task force and reports threats; city says paperwork received and encourages police contact
Summary
A resident told the council she had received threats tied to her proposal for a Boca Raton cyber police task force and asked the city to review paperwork she submitted. City officials said they have the paperwork and encouraged her to contact the Police Services Department about threats.
Anastasia Colas, a Boca Raton resident, told the City Council at a Feb. 24 workshop that she had proposed creating a local cyber police task force and that she had been threatened over the idea.
"Since I'm risking my life by coming here, I simply ask that, the paperwork that I've left be actually, looked at," Colas said. She told council members she was contacted by callers who "threatening to put a bullet in my head" because she sought a municipal cyber task force and had begun submitting related paperwork to city departments.
Colas said she had previously been redirected among city offices after raising the issue and that she submitted a volunteer request and other materials. She asked the council to review the materials and begin action while warning that, in her view, the longer the city waits the more opportunity attackers have to do harm.
City response
The mayor acknowledged receipt of Colas’s paperwork and urged her to contact the Police Services Department regarding any threats. "We have your paperwork. We'll certainly look at it," the mayor said; he also encouraged Colas to coordinate with police for safety concerns. Staff noted they would review the materials and that the city can follow up through police services.
Ending
Council members closed public requests and told Colas staff would examine the documents she submitted and that police services could be involved if threats require investigation.
