FEWER SEX OFFENDERS DUE TO A "SEX OFFENDER ROUNDUP"

Police knocking on the door is not anyones ideal way of starting their day, but several people did wake up to just that this morning. "We had a joint investigation with Dothan Police Department doing sex offenders roundup," says Houston County Deputy Sheriff, Kris Rocko. They have a "roundup" at least twice a year. Once one is convicted as a "sex offender" they must register with both the city and county. Some not registered, while others were in trouble for committing different violations. Sheila Gray, Investigator with the Juvenile Division with the Dothan Police Department says there are several rules and guidelines convicted sex offenders must follow. They call the procedure, "Operation Safe Ground" and hope to bring awareness to the public. They believe the more you know, the better off you will be. Officers went to six houses this morning in hopes of arresting sex offenders. They made a total of three arrests. Two were sex offenders and one was a "surprise". They went into one house with the intentions of arresting a sex offender. He was not at home, but the man who was there was arrested for possession of cocaine. "We call that a success to put another drug dealer off the streets," says Gray. Officers say they didnt catch as many as planned, but they still consider it a mission accomplished. JANA JACOBS-REPORTER WDHN 18