www.dpscs.state.md.us/onlineservs/sor/

The Maryland Sex Offenders Registry provides citizens with access to information about registered sex offenders in Maryland.

Sex offenders in Maryland are required to register at their local law enforcement agency twice a year and must immediately report changes in their residential address or employment. To ensure the information about registered sex offenders in Charles County is current and accurate, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division makes unannounced compliance checks at offenders’ homes and places of employment.

One of the registry’s requirements is a photograph of the offender, which is updated every six months during re-registration. However, if a detective conducting an unannounced compliance check discovers the offender has changed his or her appearance, the detective will photograph the offender again and submit the additional picture to the registry’s Web site.

The registry was developed as part of efforts to protect both children and adults from people who have been convicted of sex offenses. If you are concerned because a sexual offender resides nearby, you may contact the Special Victims Unit at 301-609-6503 for advice.

Here are some general safety tips to remember:

* Talk to your children about strangers and make sure they know not to enter someone else’s home without your permission.
* Never let young children play outside without a trusted adult’s supervision.
* When older children play outside without supervision, make sure they are always in a group and are never alone, even on a short walk home. Be sure to check on them frequently and review “Stranger Danger” information with them.
* Adults who spend time outside alone should always be aware of their surroundings. Remember common sense tips, like don’t walk or run alone after dark.