FRIENDSWOOD, Texas – A group of international computer hackers has tapped into emails and websites of several Texas police agencies.
The Friendswood Police Department was one of the targets.
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The city of Friendswood shut down all external email communications and its Internet access because of the cyber attack.
"We're actually in the process right now of running a diagnostic on our servers; seeing if there's anything in there that shouldn't be in there," said Nick Haby, assistant to the city manager.
The group Anonymous has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Members said they carried out the attacks because of what they views as unfair treatment of immigrants and to show support for its group members who were arrested overseas.
Haby said the group cracked Friendswood Police Chief Bob Weiner's email password. Hundreds of his personal and work emails were posted online.
Some of the emails discussed sensitive details of ongoing criminal investigations. Some of the emails are potentially embarrassing.
"That stupid (expletive) got what she deserved," one email read. It apparently referred to a woman who died at the end of a police chase.
"Our police chief did not create those emails. He did not write those emails," Haby said.
Haby said some officers' personal information was posted online.
"There's a certain degree of public safety we need to maintain in the community," Haby said. "Anyone who decides to jeopardize public safety is not a friend of the Friendswood Police Department."
City officials said it did not appear that any emergency communications were affected.
Anonymous also defaced the Texas Police Chiefs Association's website. It was quickly shut down.
The group said it hacked law enforcement websites across Texas in August. It has also hacked 70 law enforcement websites in five other states.
FBI officials said they are aware of the attacks, but did not comment further.