Shortly after signing a new law that increases prison terms and reporting requirements for sex offenders, Gov. Robert Ehrlich announced a new phone alert line that will notify people when convicted sex criminals move into their zip codes.
The new hot line goes hand and hand with provisions in the new law that mandate increased registration, prolonged parole, more frequent reporting to parole officers, submission of DNA samples and automatic notification of all schools in the county where the offender resides.
“It’s an expensive bill” with a $20 million price tag for all the extra staff and systems to track the offenders, said Senate President Thomas Mike Miller Jr.
“Pedophiles do not have a lot of fans in the public,” said Ehrlich, who traced his long involvement with issues about child abuse and neglect to his days in the legislature. The state wants to go track down the criminals, “but you have to do it carefully … with the interest of children in mind, but also the constitution of the United States.”
“Maryland is leading the way with the new sex offender alert line,” said Rick Jones of Appriss, the Kentucky company setting up the system. “We use it in Kentucky already.” “Information is key here,” Jones said. Residents “want to know when a registered sex offender moves into their area.”
The new hot line is being promoted by a new radio public service announcement recorded by first lady Kendel Ehrlich, a former public defender and prosecutor.
Sex offenders in your neighborhood?
If you want to get a notification call when sex offenders move nearby:
» Call 1-866-559-8017
» Enter phone number, ZIP code
» When state officials receive notice that a registered sex offender is moving into that area, you will receive a notification call
