LAS VEGAS -- Thanks to a groundbreaking deal between the state and its largest communications company, millions of Nevada homes will have some of their Internet access tightened.

In an announcement Thursday, Cox Communications has partnered with several organizations, including state departments, to block child pornography sites from computers.

"This is a huge day for us," vice president Steve Schorr said. "But more important, we think, it's bigger for our community families and our children."

As part of the agreement, Cox Communications will identify child pornography sites and block them from the system. The partnership will apply to all Cox users nationwide and those people who attempt to access them will be turned in to the local authorities.

"This can do nothing but help our purposes," Metro Sgt. Troy Barrett said. "The goal is for us to go out there and getting individuals who are preying on those who can't protect themselves."

Campaign officials said there are 25,000 Web sites on the Internet dedicated to child pornography, and one new site goes up about every hour.

"This is a crime -- a felony," said Metro Capt. Vincent Cannito. "Those children that are being forced into these types of videos are not willing participants."

Locally, the Metro Police Department, Child Seekers, the state Attorney General's Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will be points of contact for the program.

Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto applauded the agreement, saying it "is another important step in protecting children from Internet predators."