March 2, 2005
Press Release

Shaquille O'Neal Guarding the 'Net

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the following individual…I’m sure you recognize the face and name, as the newest member of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Operation Blue Ridge Thunder. Deputy O’Neal is looking forward to being in Bedford this summer and working side-by-side with our BRT investigators and, in his words, “Putting these sexual predators that surf the Internet for their next victim in jail.” Deputy O’Neal will support our task force.

NBA All-Star Shaquille O'Neal will be guarding the 'Net and protecting kids from online crimes in his new role as spokesperson for the Safe Surfin' Foundation and a member of BCSO’s Operation Blue Ridge Thunder.

Shaq will be helping the Safe Surfin' Foundation educate children, teens, and parents about the dangers of online predators and how to avoid falling victim online. There are an estimated 77 million children and teens online today who will likely visit one or more of the 40,000-plus chat rooms child predators visit. According to the FBI, there is a "100 percent chance" of a child or teen meeting a predator in a chat room.

"Today's criminals are hiding behind computer screens, fake names and fraudulent identities, all with the intention of exploiting and harming our youth," Shaq said. "I'm proud to help the Safe Surfin' Foundation and Sheriff Brown and Ms Sundquist get the word out to parents, kids and communities about Internet safety and to help law enforcement track down and lock up sexual predators."

"Shaq knows kids... and kids, and their parents, love him." Sheriff Brown said. "Shaq will be a tremendous asset in helping law enforcement, parents, and communities fight online crime and sexual exploitation of children."

Sheriff Brown said he was "honored and proud" to have Shaq as a Reserve Deputy with the Bedford County Sheriff's Office.