While the nation undergoes a financial crisis, many federally-funded programs are feeling the pain.

With the increasing need for law enforcement funding, and without the cash to do it, Wisconsin's Attorney General J.B Van Hollen met with Douglas County leaders in Superior Monday during a roundtable discussion.

LeAnn Wallace joins us from the Douglas County Court House. LeAnn... tell us more about the law enforcement concerns.

Pat. Wisconsin's Attorney General met with law enforcement officers, elected officials, and community leaders to discuss face to face the public safety issues that most concern people in Northwestern Wisconsin.

Two of the biggest concerns the police have are internet crime and drug enforcement.

"There's been a big discussion that meth has dropped off in Wisconsin but the reality is that the police up here have already told me that it has not dropped off in this area, it's still a very very significant problem yet we've been losing some funding for meth enforcement."

Part of that enforcement is supported through the Byrne grant, a federally funded program that aids the investigation and enforcement of drug related activities.

"So absent that funding, which as they mentioned has essentially been zeroed out, there's going to be a lot of drug investigative activities that can't commence as quickly or as thoroughly because of the lack of funding."

Also discussed was one of the state's fastest growing biggest areas of concern: internet crime.

"Whether it be internet crimes against children, child pornography, or people attempting to entice children online or people using computers and computerized devices for financial crimes."

Captain Chad La Lor says the Superior Police Department can and has addressed child internet pornography cases but they need the tools to intercept and arrest faster.

The Superior Police Department hopes to create an inter-county northland forensic computer task force that would allow them to assess internet crimes more quickly more efficiently... Pat.

LeAnn, were there any other funding concerns?

Area leaders also discussed the need for additional funding for witness protection programs.

The Attorney General plans to take what he's heard today back to Madison to state lawmakers.