Last week, Calvert County was one of 24 Maryland jurisdictions to receive funds from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention Office to specifically be used to help monitor sex offender compliance.

The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office received $12,650 from the Sex Offender Compliance and Enforcement in Maryland grant program. Sgt. Tim Fridman, who monitors all of the 131 registered sex offenders in Calvert, told The Calvert Recorder the funds would be used to help detectives enforce registry compliance and for detectives to conduct “verification sweeps” at registered offenders’ homes. He also said the money would be used to launch investigations should the sheriff’s office receive a tip that a registered sex offender was not in compliance with their court-ordered restrictions. Fridman said the sheriff’s office already checks on registered sex offenders at their homes at least twice a year. Fridman also said the sheriff’s office does “above and beyond what Maryland’s standards are for Calvert County.”

These are very encouraging words to hear from local law enforcement. While we know that not everyone who is required to register as a sex offender has been convicted of a severe crime, some have been convicted of heinous crimes against others and should be kept in check. Of particular concern are those who have been convicted of preying on children or convicted of first-degree rape.

While adults are expected to act civilized in our society, not all of them do, which is why we have a police force — to protect the innocent. Our sheriff’s office and Maryland State Police troopers are our first line of defense against violent crime. Their job is to ensure the public remains safe and secure. We trust them to protect us, and keep a watchful eye on those who are more likely than others to commit a crime of opportunity. The sex offender registry was created because evidence has led law enforcement and the court system to believe some sex offenders often commit similar crimes over a long period of time — either with a single victim or several.

Money is tight in this down economy. But even a small amount can aid police in the performance of their duties. It’s an old but true statement: A little goes a long way.