New sex offender registry platform offers easier access to information and data sharing for law enforcement and residents. 

The Herald-Mail reports that Maryland has joined the OffenderWatch network:

The network will allow every sheriff’s office in the state, participating police departments and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to use the technology to share records on sex offenders.

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The service also will be available at no cost to the public, which will allow Maryland residents to register online, and receive alerts and real-time updates when one or more sex offenders register within a specified radius of their homes.

The article notes that the network is currently available in Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery, Somerset and Wicomico counties and will be available within the next 90 days to all state residents. As of the announcement, Maryland was the 17th state to join the network.

Read The Herald-Mail to learn more.