By Cary Ashby
Norwalk Reflector
HURON COUNTY, Ohio — Huron County Sheriff’s Cpl. Jeff Kerber and Deputy Joe Leroux have more training when it comes to responding to child exploitation cases.
The two deputies participated in first-responder training Nov. 20 at Corporate College in Cleveland. The nine-hour workshop was sponsored by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).
“We joined that earlier in the year,” Capt. Ted Patrick said.
The training covered investigative “knock and talk” techniques related to deputies checking sex offender’s addresses. Patrick said the deputies “make sure they’re living where they say they are living and working where they say they are working.”
“It’s a very common practice. It’s an investigation technique used on a regular basis,” Patrick said.
The workshop was paid for by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason’s office. Mason chairs the ICAC Task Force.
“The ICAC Task Force Program was created to help state and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or other computer technology, to sexually exploit children. The program is currently composed of 59 regional task force agencies and is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office Of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,” according to wwwicactraining.org.
Sheriff Dane Howard said children’s safety is paramount. The sheriff also pointed out the free training for Kerber and Leroux is “handy when our budget is as tight as it is.”
“It’s outstanding training. It’s probably part of the best training you can get in this part of the country,” Howard said.
The sheriff’s office attempts to use the “knock and talk” technique three to four times a week.
“Deputies make sure (sex offenders) are where they are supposed to be,” Patrick said.
However, he said budget cuts and the reduction of 15 staff members due to retirement and attrition makes it challenging for officers to check on the 117 sex offenders who were registered in the county as of Nov. 9.
"(Budget cuts) will severely hamper our ability to track these sex offenders,” Patrick added. “We’re doing what we can. With less and less staff members, it’s becoming harder to do.
“Obviously, our priority is keeping our children as safe as possible,” Patrick said.
Copyright 2009 Norwalk Reflector