ATV Florida Forum

DIAL *DEP TO REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME
--DEP and Sprint Nextel team up to protect the environment--

TALLAHASSEE – Floridians now have a new tool for protecting the state’s natural resources. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), today unveiled that Sprint Nextel is the newest partner to provide *DEP service. Visitors and residents can now simply dial *DEP from their Nextel and Sprint PCS cell phones to report major environmental crimes, which include illegal dumping of hazardous materials, construction debris, oil drums and biological waste.

“*DEP helps officers respond quickly and efficiently to environmental emergencies,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Thomas S. Tramel. “With this new partnership, law enforcement will now have additional eyes on the roadways to help spot and easily report major crimes against the environment.”

The program will allow for statewide consistency in the way Floridians, particularly motorists with cell phone only access, report environmental crimes. Calls will be answered at the State Warning Point and information forwarded to DEP law enforcement officers for investigation.

”Wireless phones have become essential communications tools for just about everyone which is why Sprint Nextel is pleased to be able to offer our Sprint PCS and Nextel customers a way to alert authorities to potentially environmentally harmful acts,” said Joel Garner, Vice President, Public Sector Sprint Nextel South Region. “Now, our customers can be champions of the DEP’s efforts to protect Florida’s unique and sensitive environment.”

*DEP is an emergency line for reporting environmental crimes only. Callers without wireless access can report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (800) 320-0519. General environmental inquiries should be directed to DEP district offices during business hours.

DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental resource law enforcement, providing law enforcement services to Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Agents investigate environmental resource crimes and illegal dredge and fill activities and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that can threaten the environment.

From 1999-2003, DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement investigated 3,365 criminal environmental cases -- an increase of nearly 414 percent over the previous five years. In 2000, DEP launched the Environmental Crimes Strike Force to combat major crimes

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Thanks for the info - that's great to know.... :Clap.gif :Hug.gif