Eastern Shore counties receive $21k for protective order funding

Maryland is lending a hand to some local law enforcement, by extending grant money to make specialized units and recordings related to protective orders.

The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention has awarded more than $196,000 in grant funding, to help protect victims of domestic violence, under the state’s Domestic Violence Unit Program. This grant is aimed at helping local sheriffs and police departments create specialized units to focus on ex partes and protective orders, and maintain their domestic violence databases.

Officials say protective orders, and temporary orders called ex parte, which can be issued without the respondent present in court, are an imperative part of law enforcement.

“We must do all we can to protect victims of domestic violence,” said Christopher B. Shank, GOCCP’s Executive Director. “Knowing when a protective order is served is vital for officers in police departments or sheriff’s offices. Once that order has been served, the abuser must stay away from the victim or face legal consequences.”

Here on the Shore, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office received $1,680, and Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office received $20,000.

Officials say the funds can be used for the service and data entry of protective orders and/or ex partes, allowing agencies to respond 24/7, and provide salaries and overtime if needed.