ATTORNEY GENERAL J.B. VAN HOLLEN MEETING TODAY WITH U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO GONZALES TO DISCUSS STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL WISCONSIN LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIPS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will meet today with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in Washington, D.C., to discuss a number of legal and law enforcement issues facing the state of Wisconsin.

"There are many important ways the federal government can partner with law enforcement in Wisconsin at every level - federal, state and local," Van Hollen said. "Today's meeting is a critical part of that process."

Van Hollen traveled to Washington, D.C. for the face-to-face talks as part of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) annual spring meeting, held March 5-7 in Washington, D.C. Forty-six of the nation's Attorneys General gathered for collective discussions on federal and state approaches to homeland security, consumer protection, gangs, combating illegal drugs, child pornography and issues related to data retention.

"As a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin I know how critical federal support and partnership can be at every level of law enforcement in our state," Van Hollen said. "I greatly appreciate this dialogue with Attorney General Gonzales to help make Wisconsin a safer place for our kids, seniors, schools and communities."

Van Hollen said among the issues in which federal law enforcement can assist state and local law enforcement include protecting against online predators of children; fighting Identity Theft; crime victim services; methamphetamine enforcement; and combating interstate drug trafficking. He said that in addition to open dialogue and partnership, federal support includes funding for technology and training at every level in which the men and women of Wisconsin law enforcement serve our citizens.