Butler isn't a debris field and those who respond to vehicle accidents shouldn't leave it as one.

Two examples in recent days called attention to the problem.

The other day, on the southern end of the General Richard Butler Bridge, debris from a crash littered the south side of the road. Several days before that, debris from a rear-end collision on West Cunningham Street near Pillow Street was left for other motorists to run over and crush, or carry away in their tires.

And, those two incidents were not isolated cases.

Meanwhile, it is not a situation limited to the city.

Courtesy and concern regarding others' vehicles should dictate the removal of accident debris before responders leave the scene. Such cleanups also can be construed as part of the state's anti-littering law.

If tossing a soft drink can out of a vehicle can merit a fine, police shouldn't look the other way when it comes to accident debris.

There already is too much debris deposited on streets and sidewalks by irresponsible people. Those who respond to vehicle crashes should not add to that unsightly — and, in this case, potentially dangerous or costly — practice.

This is an issue so basic that vehicle accident responders should not need a reminder.

It's now clear that the state should not have waited more than 10 years to conduct an audit regarding registration compliance in connection with the commonwealth's Megan's Law.The first compliance audit, which covered the 10-year period ending in December 2005, found that hundreds of sex offenders had not registered as required, and some still were missing.The audit, which was conducted by the state attorney general's office, found that 369 released offenders who were obliged to register had not done so. In 11 cases, the county prosecutor declined to pursue the process to compel registration. In 401 cases, a sex-offense conviction was not properly recorded in the offender's files.In 18 cases, there were found to be outstanding warrants for defendants who did not register.According to state officials, 10 years won't pass before the next audit. Plans are to conduct audits annually.That is a welcome decision.Why the state initially didn't recognize the need for annual audits is puzzling. The situation suggests a lack of foresight and a lack of realization that there could be problems over full compliance with the law.Without knowledge that problems exist, it is impossible to fix them. Fortunately, the state now realizes that in regard to this important law.Future Megan's Law audits should be conducted annually, without exception. And, as in this instance, the results should be revealed to the public so, hopefully, there can be assurance that the law is working as intended.Unfortunately, such assurance was lacking during its first decade.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is giving some police and fire departments some new tools to use in their important missions.Roethlisberger's foundation, which last year provided money so his hometown (Findlay, Ohio) police department could replace its service dog, will distribute grants to police and fire departments in Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas, and those of each Steelers regular season away opponent, to help bolster their efforts.For example, the canine unit in Cleveland, the Steelers first away opponent last weekend, is receiving an explosion-detection dog, a training course and canine protection vest so the city can replace a dog that is nearing retirement age. The Cleveland Police Department did not have the funds to buy a new dog."I have always held the deepest respect for the efforts of our police and fire departments," Roethlisberger said.Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's career would not be in jeopardy if, like Roethlisberger, he had opted for a positive mission on behalf of animals, rather than becoming the focus of a police investigation and the target of criminal charges as a main figure in an illegal, repulsive dogfighting operation.