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 in 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.
“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.”
Residents “want to know when a registered sex offender moves into their area,” Jones said.
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.
Alan Woods, executive director of the governor?s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, said the new PSA “doesn?t cost the citizens a cent ? we?re paying for it with federal funds.”
Woods said the announcements would continue to be used as the election approached, and was clearly annoyed when questioned about the appropriateness of having the wife of a governor running for re-election doing free radio spots.
“I?m not a politician ? these are public service announcements,” Woods said. “I use people I believe will e listened to.”
Sex offenders in your neighborhood?
If you want to be informed when sex offenders move nearby:
» Call 866-559-8017.
» Enter your phone number and Zip code.
» When state officials receive notice that a registered sex offender is moving into that area, you will receive a notification call.
» You will be directed to the sex offender registry at www.socem.info for more information.
