I stumbled across the PA Megan’s Law website while searching another site and curiousity got the best of me and I just had to search the Pocono area. It is the type of information you want to know, but also really wish you didn’t know at the same time. If you’re not familiar with Megan’s Law:
” What is Megan’s Law?
Megan’s Law exists solely for the purpose of providing a means of protecting the public, especially our children, from victimization by sexual offenders. This is accomplished by tracking the whereabouts of convicted sex offenders and providing notification to the public of the presence of a sex offender in their community. Utilizing the combination of tracking and notification, law enforcement and private citizens are able to develop constructive plans, safety programs, and victimization prevention strategies to prepare for the presence of sex offenders in their neighborhoods.Â
Pursuant to the provisions of Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9791 et seq., the State Police has established this web page to provide timely information to the public on registered sex offenders who reside, attend school, are employed/carry on a vocation, within this Commonwealth. ”
Basically its a sex offender registry and although I don’t warrant myself in a position to say if the people listed on the website are/aren’t guilty or make any assumptions about them…I will say as a parent if nothing else it opens my eyes as to being a little bit more aware of who my neighbors are.
There are about 30 registered sex offenders in Stroud township/boro alone – that’s not including anyone not yet recorded, or have passed the 10 year registration mark. For the 10-year registration mark offenders can have been convicted of the following: Kidnapping, where the victim is a minor, Luring a Child into a Motor Vehicle, Sexual abuse of children, Sexual exploitation of children and more (look under “registration details”). IMO if your kid gets the old “I got candy in the car” and gets kidnapped the offender should be put on there permanently…I over react from time to time but I don’t think I’m too out of line with that suggestion. There are obviously a bunch of other areas besides Stroud township/boro so I can’t even venture to guess what the total in the Poconos is.
Anyway, if you go to the website: http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us and click “I agree” it will bring up a search on the left by County, Municipality, City, Zip Code, Name or Alias. If you’re looking out of state there are sites like http://www.criminalcheck.com that you can use to search as well.
It is public information and I’m sure its not on the minds of most on a daily basis but if you’re the curious or protective type you’d probably want to check it occasionally.
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