Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office receives grant to protect victims of domestic violence

Last year, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office issued more than 1,000 protection and peace orders.

So far this year 556 orders have been issued. Since the orders help keep abusive people away from their victims, it’s important work and it needs to be done as quickly as possible.

That’s why the sheriff’s office received $20,000 in grant money from the Office of Crime Control and Prevention.

Lieutenant Richard Wiersberg, of the Wicomico County Sheriff says the money will make sure someone is always on staff to process protection orders even late at night.

“The courts do get orders throughout the day but some of the orders come in late in  afternoon so then we use that civilian overtime money to help fund the position to keep one of our civilian personal over to make sure the information gets entered.”

The $20,000 is split into two parts.  There will be $5,000 for overtime for deputies out in the field actually serving the orders. The other $15,000 is for personnel in the office.

It’s their job to enter the data within 24 hours and  they have to work through incomplete forms.

“The person who filed it at the courts may not have had all the information. We have to do the research here and sometimes it takes police work just to find them and get them served,” says Lt.  Richard Wiersberg,  “It would be hard for us to maintain the standard that we have in putting all these protective orders in the system within the 24 hours.”

When fully staffed, authorities are better equipped to protect people within Wicomico County and to work with their colleagues nearby.

“If someone goes to Worcester County and we haven’t had a chance to serve that individual, and we already have that protective order in the system, it will show up in the system. That individual has information that needs to be served and they can contact us,” said Lt.  Richard Wiersberg.”

If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence contact local law enforcement for assistance.