HISTORY   Safe Surfin' Foundation (SSF) began in 2000 to support the educational activities of Operation Blue Ridge Thunder (BRT), the Bedford County Sheriff Office, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Incorporated in 2000, SSF received non-profit status and all donations to SSF are tax deductible. Primarily a volunteer effort, funds are raised from corporate and private donations, enabling SSF to supply Internet safety educational materials to schools, libraries, and home schoolers. BRT first began operations in 1997 and received federal funding in 1998. Under Sheriff Mike Brown, BRT has become internationally known for cracking tough cases and finding pedophiles lurking on the Internet. The Safe Surfin' Foundation is the educational 'arm' of the nationally recognized Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, known as Blue Ridge Thunder. Under the direction of Sheriff Mike Brown, online sexual predators that prey upon our innocent children are continually identified and arrested. Though law enforcement is extremely effective in arresting these predators, Sheriff Brown realized more needed to be done to protect children while online. Law enforcement continues to work tirelessly arresting predators, but the need to educate potential victims became very apparent. Education is our best defense!   MISSION   Through its interactive website, special events, materials, PSAs, and other educational opportunities, Safe Surfin' educates the public about Internet crimes involving children. Safe Surfin' works with the U.S. Department of Justice, school systems, public libraries that offer Internet access, law enforcement agencies, and corporate sponsors to further its mission. Safe Surfin' seeks donations from individuals and corporations to further its mission. The Foundation is tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Under revision –  to be determined at upcoming BOD meeting. STAFF Sheriff Michael J. Brown, Chairman of the Board Sheriff Michael J. Brown is a native of Bedford County, Virginia, and has forty-two years of law enforcement and intelligence experience on a local, national, and international level. Sheriff Brown is a retired Senior Special Agent with the U.S. Treasury Department (BATF). He served with the US Army Military Police Corps (1967-1970); as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C.; as a Staff Support Specialist with the CIA; and, prior to his election as Sheriff on 1 January 1996, he was a criminal justice consultant and program developer with the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. State Department in Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Sheriff Brown is a member of the Board of Directors, National Sheriffs' Association, a member of the Board of Directors, National White Collar Crime Center, and a member of the Board of Advisors, Law Enforcement Innovation Center, University of Tennessee. Sheriff Brown holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Police Administration and the Administration of Justice from the American University in Washington, D.C. Ronald E. Porter, M.S., Vice President, Public Relations and Training After concluding a distinguished military career with his Vietnam tour, Mr. Porter studied as an NDEA Fellow at the University of Tennessee, and then quickly became a highly sought after industrial trainer, and faculty member at two of America's oldest colleges and universities. Porter brings 30 years of instructional, training, and public relations experiences to his positions, while serving as a Special Assistant to Sheriff Michael J. Brown. CONTACT US Gary Reynolds, PhD Executive Director Safe Surfin' Foundation Bedford County VA Sheriff's Office 1345 Falling Creek Road Bedford, VA  24523 E-mail: greynolds@bedfordsheriff.org Phone: (540) 527-SAFE (7233)   Back to Home Page

Safe Surfin' Foundation Takes Their Message Public WHAT IS SAFE SURFIN'? The Safe Surfin' Foundation provides parents, teachers and school administrators, law enforcement, community groups and librarians with the information and resources necessary to keep children safe and their exploration of the Internet fun. The Need Children and teens are increasingly using the Internet - for finding information for school projects, for games and entertainment, and for communicating with friends. Unfortunately, as more and more children use the Internet, it's also used in increasingly cunning ways by criminals to abduct and exploit those children.   The only way to ensure the safety of the millions of children who use the Internet each day is through education - becoming informed about the problem and learning ways to keep children free from harm.                     Gary W. Reynolds, PhD, Executive Director Gary W. Reynolds began his public service career as a teacher for the Campbell County VA School system in 1973. He has served as a deputy sheriff in Campbell County (1973-1974), with the Lynchburg VA Police Department where he retired as the administrative Captain (1975 to 1997) and the Winchester VA Police Department where he served as Chief of Police until his retirement (1997 to 2004.) Gary W. Reynolds has earned degrees in Sociology, Criminal Justice Administration, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He was the first ever Chief of Police in Virginia to earn a Ph.D. while in office. Gary W. Reynolds currently serves as a Special Assistant to the Sheriff of Bedford County VA. He has been actively involved with Operation Blue Ridge Thunder, the Safe Surfin' Foundation and other initiatives to make the Internet safer for children. Additionally, he is an instructor for the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville where he is a nationally recognized lecturer in their investigative, command and leadership programs.   Robin Sundquist, Deputy Executive Director Robin Sundquist was on the original development team of Operation Blue Ridge Thunder in 1998 after leaving the corporate world where she was employed for nine years as an International Marketing Manager with a Fortune 500 company. She is a graduate of Fisher College, Boston. Robin is the Administrative officer to Sheriff Brown and the grant writer for the Bedford County Sheriff's Office.