Are sex offenders required to notify neighbors in PA?

Submitted by mama-moth t3_104dp47 in Pennsylvania

I just found out that the guy who moved into the house directly next to mine in September 2022 is a convicted & registered sex offender.

According to the registry he was convinced of 2 count of indecent assault on a minor under the age of 13 in early 2022.

I literally had no idea. I live in a small borough so a sheriff in town is a big deal. I was walking home from the bus stop with my daughter & one of the moms who lives across the street was walking with us with her child. We noticed a sheriff at my neighbors house & she mentioned it was his parole officer. I asked what he was on parole for & that’s how I found out.

I got home & looked at the registry & he was the first person to pop up because he was the closest. I would have never known if the other mom hadn’t told me.

We moved here from TN over a year ago & I thought those on the registry were responsible for notifying neighbors when they moved in somewhere?

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subjiciendum t1_j34ds6q wrote

There’s only a notification requirement for a subset of sex offenders. And the cops are responsible for notification.

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sneakysquid102 t1_j34oe2t wrote

If it's not a law it should be.

I thought we sent all the SOs to Florida lol

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suspishstanley t1_j34p0nl wrote

There are two sub chapters in which offenders are registered under- each have different requirements- before dec of 2012: residence, employment, school they are enrolled in. After dec of 2012- residence, employment, school they may be enrolled in, phone number, internet identifiers, vehicles. not all information the registry requires from offenders is public knowledge

The only offenders who get community notification done are offenders who were deemed by the court to be sexually violent predators.. this information will show on their public page on PA Megan’s Law. They will be listed as either pre-SORNA SVP or SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR. All other offender’s information is available only on the public site and at your local PD - they should have fliers available for offenders who live and/or work in their jurisdiction.

*residence includes any and all residences including primary, temporary, and alternative.

(Any and all information on the public version of PA ML is not to be used to threaten or harass offenders, doing so can lead to being punished by law.)

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runner_4_runner t1_j34qicx wrote

"When he moved down to Venice he had to go door to door to tell everyone he's a pederast".

"What's a pederast, Walter"?

"Shut the fuck up , Donnie".

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GburgG t1_j34yexd wrote

We had a registered sex offender move in a few blocks away. The local police came around and knocked on doors to let us know. They were even handing out a piece of paper with the guys picture.

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kristimyers72 t1_j3508vg wrote

In PA, I think they have to register when they move. I do not think they have to personally notify anyone other than their probation/parole officers and the registry itself.

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31spiders t1_j354886 wrote

We had the cops come around and tell us a registered sex offender was moving into the neighborhood. He was a couple streets over but still.

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ArtSuspicious1731 t1_j35b3j3 wrote

Sign up for the Megan's Law notifications. You'll get an email any time an offender moves or obtains a job within 5 mi of your residence.

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SunstruckMorning t1_j35hie8 wrote

I have 3 sex offenders living either on my block or the block adjacent. I found out because i did a search on the megans law website. It helps to be aware of who they are. None of them have ever made me feel threatened. I am cordial with them without putting myself in harm’s way.

We want to encourage community re-integration to discourage them from thinking they have nothing left to lose if they do it again.

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kgiann t1_j35myu3 wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#1,293,627)

Yes, there are some registered sex offenders whose crimes are less severe, but usually you can see the offense. I just meant that people have a right to be aware of neighbors who might be on the list. Not that they should try to hurt other people. I apologize that my tone construed that. I would never advocate hurting any person for any reason.

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Super_C_Complex t1_j35ns9t wrote

There's actually very little evidence the sex offender registry does anything but stigmatize offenders, make it harder for them to find work, housing, and support, or prevent recidivism.

The list also includes offenses which are... Absurd. Such as interference with custody.

So, realistically, the guy on the registry is actually less likely to commit a sexual offense against your children than you.

Also the whole constitutionality of the statute is being challenged and possibly going to be struck down.

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msip313 t1_j35qp70 wrote

Replying to l_a_ga (#1,293,651)

It’s a major misconception that everyone on the registry is there for “child rape.” In reality, convicted pedophile rapist receive such long prison sentences they’re unlikely to be your neighbor.

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Worried_Astronaut_41 t1_j36du7s wrote

Statistically most offenders re offend due to nature not a list or second chances it's a compulsive disease or power dominance issue or other factors psychological for them I am working on my bachelor and a doctors in psychology. I've always wanted to be a criminal psychologist.

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TrueLoveEditorial t1_j36fx80 wrote

Replying to kidneycat (#1,294,212)

The majority of crimes on children are committed by a family member or close friend of the family. Stranger Danger is overblown. Mom would be better off keeping a closer eye on Uncle Bob, who likes to tickle children past the time they say stop, or honorary grandma Millie, who invites kids over for "special time."

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Super_C_Complex t1_j36i0ev wrote

Replying to kidneycat (#1,294,212)

> The guy convicted of two counts of assaulting a minor under the age of 13 is less likely to assault OPs kid than OP?

Statistically speaking, yes.

Statistics don't care about the individuals though.

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36lgs9 wrote

Not all sex offenders, only the worst of the worst. They are known as Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs). If you are an SVP you get lifetime registration, neighbor notification, and mandatory monthly counseling.

All sex offenders are bad, however these are the ones where it has been determined they are not going to take to treatment and have the highest risk of recidivism. They usually have a personality disorder or a history of violent acts,. including prior sexual offenses

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36m1zx wrote

Replying to TrueLoveEditorial (#1,294,515)

Not in Pennsylvania.

Yes there are charges on the registration that shouldn't be there. (Interference is a great example)

As for the constitutionality of it, they have been fighting it since the 1990s. It was unconstitutional for a bit around 2017, but the legislature changed the law. Could it change one day? Sure. But there is strong political support to keep it on both sides.

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shillyshally t1_j36nzx5 wrote

I live next door to one (lowest level) and he does not show up on the maps. His uncle was a cop and he is registered as living at his father's address out in the boonies even though he lives here. There is a middle school, a high school and a grammar school within a few blocks from here and another Catholic grammar school on the next block.

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36o3ef wrote

Replying to TrueLoveEditorial (#1,294,750)

Yours and comment above. Streaking, isn't a Adam Walsh offense in Pa.

Edit to add. Megan's law technically changed to Adam Walsh act in the early 2000's. The federal government required all states to update their sex offender registry laws.

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36p3j7 wrote

Replying to kidneycat (#1,294,212)

That would depend if the guy convicted of assault, went after strangers or children known to him. Also if the children he assaulted were related to him.

There are some very good (ie well researched and empirically supported) tools that are used to gauge the risk of sexual offending in the future. Static-99r and Abel screening are the two leading tools in this area.

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36qb23 wrote

Replying to TrueLoveEditorial (#1,294,832)

Not new and never was required on the state level. Yes, a probation or parole department absolutely could impose sex offender requirements on anyone they feel is a risk. But there is nothing in the law that states they must. This greatly varries from county to county.

Indecent exposure has never been a Megans/Adam Walsh trigger in Pa. If you know someone who is telling you that they were convicted of a streaking offense in Pennsylvania and as a result they were put on Megan's law, they are blowing smoke up your ass and there is more to the story.

Now if this guy was running naked while touching his penis or perhaps saying sexual things to strangers, then yes, that would end up with charges that would trigger Megan's law.

Here are the current trigger laws. https://www.meganslaw.psp.pa.gov/InformationalPages/CrimesCode

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YogurtclosetLower896 t1_j36vbxs wrote

They shouldn't allow these scum bags anywhere near our communities or our neighborhoods!!! The justice system is so fucked !!! Lock them up & throw away the key!!!!!

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MeEvilBob t1_j36ws9w wrote

Replying to SunstruckMorning (#1,293,386)

A guy I used to work with is a registered sex offender because a cop caught him pissing on a dumpster behind a bar and charged him for indecent exposure.

I'm not defending sex offenders, but not everybody on the registry is an actual danger to the public.

EDIT: This happened in a different state, you can stop telling me that in PA there's nothing wrong with a guy showing his dick to random people, aka "indecent exposure".

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MeEvilBob t1_j36x5zn wrote

Replying to TrueLoveEditorial (#1,294,515)

Or in the case of a former coworker of mine, pissing on a dumpster behind a bar on his 21st birthday. A cop caught him and charged him with indecent exposure.

He didn't do anything to anybody, but that doesn't matter because anybody who sees that he's on the registry is going to assume he's a monster.

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Lance_lake t1_j36yvi8 wrote

Replying to pnedito (#1,294,889)

Let me tell you something pendejo. You pull any of your crazy shit with us, you flash a piece out on the lane.. I'll take it away from you and stick it up your ass and pull the fucking trigger until it goes click.

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twiztidmetalz t1_j372xwu wrote

The answer is no they themselves do not have to tell you. On pa Megan’s law website you can sign up for emails and can get notifications if one moves into your area I have mine set at a 5 mile radius from home and work. Here’s the website https://www.meganslaw.psp.pa.gov

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mama-moth OP t1_j374yum wrote

Replying to Super_C_Complex (#1,293,681)

Yeah 2 counts of indecent assault on a child younger than 13 isn’t just a “oops I peed in public”. From my understanding when I read the law the minor would’ve had to come into contact with… bodily fluids in order for the neighbor to be charged with that.

They ought to be stigmatized & they should have a hard time finding housing & work. They should be put down. Dead sex offenders don’t reoffend.

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mama-moth OP t1_j3754hr wrote

It’s alarming that you can live right next to a sex offender & not know. I would’ve never known if the other mom hadn’t told me. They should be required to notify people as a condition of their parole.

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linsor1 t1_j37bv7p wrote

Replying to MeEvilBob (#1,295,106)

They can be on that list for having a consensual relationship with a 15 year old when they are 18. I used to work with a guy like that. The girl's parents pressed charges on him (she didn't want them to) and he went to jail and is now a registered sex offender.

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Super_C_Complex t1_j37c44v wrote

Replying to mama-moth (#1,295,455)

> They ought to be stigmatized & they should have a hard time finding housing & work.

That actually makes them more likely to reoffend.

> From my understanding when I read the law the minor would’ve had to come into contact with… bodily fluids in order for the neighbor to be charged with that

That's not necessarily the only way to be charged with indecent assault.

> They should be put down. Dead sex offenders don’t reoffend.

Most living ones don't either. But you seem falsely offended by this.

I'm sure you don't care that half your neighbors drive drunk through your neighborhood and that is more likely to cause harm to your kids.

What I'm saying is chill.

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YoungHeartOldSoul t1_j37f0kd wrote

Replying to raven4747 (#1,295,896)

Assuming at some point they were 15 & 17, that's not necessarily that strange. I personally was younger than all of my peers because my birthday was at the start of the school year, very close to the cut off date to start.

In that same situation he could just be, one grade higher and two years older, add one of more of his birthdays and a few more months and suddenly you've got an 18-year-old dating a 15-year-old.

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suspishstanley t1_j37gbfk wrote

Replying to MeEvilBob (#1,295,106)

Indecent exposure is not a registrable offense in Pennsylvania so, he either lied to you completely about what he was arrested for or he was never on the registry. Unless it was an out of state offense and he was on THEIR registry.

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YoungHeartOldSoul t1_j37goic wrote

Replying to raven4747 (#1,295,984)

I'm not justifying it my point is that we need more context before you can pass a judgment on this. Yeah it may warrant investigation but it's not immediately, obviously illegal.

I myself at 16 dated a Jr in high school that was 18 or 19 due to birthday shenanigans, it's not that undead of.

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cuteangelmer t1_j37hbnf wrote

Replying to mama-moth (#1,295,464)

They're not required to in PA. If he's on parole, and moved, his parole officers would have to approve the move to begin with. If he's not a registered offender then it most likely wasn't something a court deemed violent and or a danger to society.

I've done a lot of research on the justice system regarding a lot of criminal proceedings. Family worked in prison settings my whole life. They want to put things in categories for the sake of filing and procedure. Whatever happened, the courts didn't deem him violent or a danger to society. People are capable of turning their lives around too.

Just something to think about

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Super_C_Complex t1_j37nfuf wrote

Replying to Clippershipdread (#1,295,823)

Is it? There is virtual zero evidence the registration requirements actually reduce recidivism, and zero evidence that people on the registry reoffend.

I'm not a pedo apologist, especially since you can get on the registry for showing your dick to seniors

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Clippershipdread t1_j37ofw2 wrote

Replying to Super_C_Complex (#1,296,314)

You say that as if showing your dick to seniors isn’t a serious sexual offense. I can’t take you seriously.

You’re telling me that you don’t want to be notified if a child rapist moved in next door to you and your child? That information is worthless to you?

And the offender list separates the degree of offender, as I’m sure you, know since you have such strong feeling on the matter.

Are you saying that you are against Megan’s Law and sex offender registries in general? Say it.

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linsor1 t1_j37w7ns wrote

Replying to YoungHeartOldSoul (#1,296,015)

Context is the parents didn't like him because he wasn't "good enough" for their daughter. They were both still in high school, she was almost 16, and they pressed charges before she turned 16, which is the age of consent, or was at the time anyway. He tried to fight it based on how close she was to turning 16, but her family was well known in a smaller town, so who do you think the court system would side with? He wasn't a bad guy at all, he just wasn't of a good enough social class for them.

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AbsentEmpire t1_j389y8h wrote

Replying to raven4747 (#1,296,104)

OK so a 17 year old boy in high school dating a 15 year old a grade below him should immediately break up the second they turn 18 even though nothing else changed or risk being labeled a sex offender for life, because you think it's now automatically creepy. That seems totally reasonable.

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pleecl t1_j38jour wrote

State trooper friend told me the ones on the list are not the ones to be afraid of…💀

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Yen-sama t1_j38rcg9 wrote

Replying to raven4747 (#1,295,984)

Since the school year starts in September, plenty of kids turn 18 right at the beginning of 12th grade, or do you think birthdays don't happen between September and January?

18 year olds are high school kids. Grow up and deal with it

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msip313 t1_j38wcsj wrote

Replying to bloobun (#1,295,454)

It depends what you mean by “pedo.” Do you mean prepubescent child rape, possession of child pornography, sex between a 19 and 15 year old, or something else? All these offenses would be graded differently for sentencing purposes under PA law, but it’s easy enough for lay people call each one of them “pedo.”

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BlondeOnBicycle t1_j395m31 wrote

You already live near sex offenders. You just don't have to know it.

Another state, but the youth soccer coach who was my neighbor as a child sexually abused me and it never went to court. So I lived next to an UNregistered sex offender for years, and all those kids he coached were coached by a pedophile with no requirement to disclose. A tiny fraction (like 1%) of sexual crimes go to court and result in a conviction (less than 1%) that requires registering as a sex offender. Basic math says 99% of sex offenders are wandering free without being on any list.

These laws are important but let people lose the forest for the trees.

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000111000000111000 t1_j39r7bb wrote

Different criteria used for different crimes dictate which offender and how long they are required to register

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3acsvz wrote

Replying to shillyshally (#1,294,790)

Please report this! PSP is on top of this shit and will absolutely take action if he is required to register and is not.

Use the below link, and follow the directions under the Megan's law heading. I once helped a victim anonymously report that an offender did not have their work address updated properly. They were arrested within a week.

https://www.psp.pa.gov/Pages/Report-a-tip-by-phone-or-online.aspx

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3aeuel wrote

Replying to WinterWontStopComing (#1,296,922)

I don't fully disagree with this. a big problem I have with trusting any data relating to recidivism rates and sex offenders is there is offen a significant delay between the offense and reporting it. I would want to know how long of a period the research covered. Uncle Joe could be molesting the four year old again, but that baby likely wouldn't report that offense until much later in life- if at all.

I do agree that research largely supports the notion that SOs are very amenable to treatment. And that society overestimates their level of danger. But I like the registry. It keeps people aware, and no amount of research will be able to tell how many people were NOT victimized because of the existence of it.

I do wonder where we will be in 20 years as a society and data-wise. Victims of sexual offenses being supported and encouraged to report the offense is a new social phenomenon. I have seen massive change during my time (20 years) in this field.

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3af8dl wrote

Replying to suspishstanley (#1,296,059)

Thank you. I posted earlier. This is a pet peeve of mine as I think it "cheapens" the registry. I don't like that non-sex offenders are included to begin with. But indecent exposure isn't one of those offenses to begin with.

I think a lot of offenders will use this line to minimize their offense history and unfortunately people buy into it

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Lemonbrick_64 t1_j3pverx wrote

Replying to MeEvilBob (#1,295,106)

Not only that but Sex offenders have the lowest recidivism rate of any group of criminals.. their probations are also notoriously strict… especially in PA. Anyway, it’s good to know that they are SO’s but you really need to be careful of the ones who aren’t on any registries…

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Lemonbrick_64 t1_j3pvj6j wrote

Replying to mama-moth (#1,295,434)

Not only that but Sex offenders have the lowest recidivism rate of any group of criminals.. their probations are also notoriously strict… especially in PA. Anyway, it’s good to know that they are SO’s but you really need to be careful of the ones who aren’t on any registries…

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pts1354 t1_j3rguia wrote

They should have to go door to door like Jesus in The Big Lebowski and tell everyone they’re a pederast.

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