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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Comments

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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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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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MeEvilBob t1_j36ws9w wrote

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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linsor1 t1_j37bv7p wrote

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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raven4747 t1_j37djph wrote

okay well.. that's still creepy lol.

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jersey_girl660 t1_j39szpc wrote

Creepy definitely but should it be illegal? Absolutely not. There’s usually age difference exemptions in these laws for a reason.

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MeEvilBob t1_j37dzao wrote

If 2 17 year olds are in love and one turns 18 before the other, is that creepy?

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raven4747 t1_j37e644 wrote

the example in question was a 15 & 18 yr old, don't move the goalposts lol.

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YoungHeartOldSoul t1_j37f0kd wrote

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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raven4747 t1_j37fyds wrote

sounds like you're doing a lot of mental gymnastics to justify this lol. an 18 year old is out of high school or just about to be, a 15 year old is still in 9th-10th grade. thats creepy.

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YoungHeartOldSoul t1_j37goic wrote

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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linsor1 t1_j37w7ns wrote

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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raven4747 t1_j37ivqz wrote

nah I agree there are some rare instances where its not as bad.. but as an 18 yr old male, you gotta know better and its no one's fault but your own if you get in trouble for it.

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AbsentEmpire t1_j389y8h wrote

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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bens111 t1_j37m4ci wrote

If you dated an 18+ year old as a 16 year old that is creepy af. It just is.

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Yen-sama t1_j38rcg9 wrote

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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SunstruckMorning t1_j380v9u wrote

My neighbors were convicted of rape. Not pissing somewhere they shouldn’t.

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suspishstanley t1_j37gbfk wrote

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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MeEvilBob t1_j37gtog wrote

This wasn't in Pennsylvania.

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suspishstanley t1_j37hsrz wrote

That makes sense, then. Indecent Exposure is one of the most common offenses people think is a Megan’s Law offense that is not.

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3af8dl wrote

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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Bluejeep10 t1_j3gfu4k wrote

If he legit was caught pissing in public, he would not have to register. Someone is lying.

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Lemonbrick_64 t1_j3pverx wrote

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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feudalle t1_j38eykt wrote

My neighbor in Philly had the same. He was plastered and peeing in a park and pissed the cop off.

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WinterWontStopComing t1_j381303 wrote

recidivism rates among sex offenders

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3aeuel wrote

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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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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Marionboy t1_j34s67m wrote

8 year olds, dude.

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cawkstrangla t1_j3577cl wrote

Jesus

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slindsay198 t1_j35b66d wrote

You said it man. Nobody fucks with da Jesus.

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mistercrinkles t1_j36nkdk wrote

Liam and me, we gonna fuck you up

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pnedito t1_j36qol9 wrote

Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.

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Lance_lake t1_j36yvi8 wrote

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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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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[deleted] t1_j35doi7 wrote

[deleted]

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BlondeOnBicycle t1_j3awyda wrote

Not to be scary but most sex offenders are not on a registry. How do you protect them from unregistered offenders?

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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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Impressive_Bus11 t1_j35btbm wrote

Correct. If notification is required it's the responsibility of local police to do so. Not the registered.

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cooldude_4000 t1_j34dte8 wrote

https://www.meganslaw.psp.pa.gov/InformationalPages/Notification

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CoastalSailing t1_j35kd46 wrote

Just ran a search. Scary.

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CocoaMotive t1_j363j1l wrote

Even more so when you figure that most sex offenders are never reported.

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SunstruckMorning t1_j3824jd wrote

Yes there’s a LOT more living around us that have never been convicted than what is shown on the map.

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carlydelphia t1_j383q8i wrote

I just did too. Only 1 I'm my neighborhood, but its the younger brother of a kid I went to school with. Eeew.

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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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TrueLoveEditorial t1_j36g2m3 wrote

True. Streaking - as some college bros like to do on occasion - is classified as a sex offense.

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MeEvilBob t1_j36x5zn wrote

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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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3ad74e wrote

That does not happen in this state. Indecent exposure is NOT a ML triggering offense in Pa.

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MeEvilBob t1_j3ahqir wrote

This didn't happen in PA, but it does happen, which was my point.

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36m1zx wrote

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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TrueLoveEditorial t1_j36mxgb wrote

Are you responding to my comment or the OP's?

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36o3ef wrote

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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TrueLoveEditorial t1_j36o8pk wrote

Then why do streakers get sent to sex offender's counseling as part of ARD?

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36osv1 wrote

That is up to the individual probation office. It's not legally required on the state level.

*Source: I am an advocate for victims of sexual offenses and work closely with state and county offices.

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TrueLoveEditorial t1_j36oz24 wrote

That must be a new thing. My experience is from 2006 to 2009. (I wasn't the offender )

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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36qb23 wrote

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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kidneycat t1_j363dmt wrote

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

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TrueLoveEditorial t1_j36fx80 wrote

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

> 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_j36p3j7 wrote

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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losiduh t1_j36kkks wrote

Commonwealth v Torsilleri, if anyone wants to look it up

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mama-moth OP t1_j374yum wrote

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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Super_C_Complex t1_j37c44v wrote

> 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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CharlySB t1_j38u75k wrote

Drunk drivers can go to fucking hell too iMO

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Dr_Worm88 t1_j381or6 wrote

Congratulations you are part of the problem instead of a solution.

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mama-moth OP t1_j3qluzt wrote

If you think letting them live is a problem & not the solution maybe you should be closely monitored… sounds like you’re a pedophile sympathizer.

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Dr_Worm88 t1_j3qnlu0 wrote

That’s not what I said but you lack critical thinking skills as shown in this thread.

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Clippershipdread t1_j376q06 wrote

People are coming out of the woodwork to tell OP the guy is harmless. It’s insane. Reddit truly blows my mind.

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Super_C_Complex t1_j37c5s7 wrote

Not saying he is harmless just that the sex offender registry is pointless

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Clippershipdread t1_j37cui8 wrote

That’s absurd. Shame on you. Pedo - apologist.

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Super_C_Complex t1_j37nfuf wrote

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

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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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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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36ln7e wrote

That means this guy is a sexually violent predator

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GburgG t1_j39cp9c wrote

Makes sense. I think the charge also on the paper was sexual assault.

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[deleted] t1_j35jyd2 wrote

[deleted]

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IamSauerKraut t1_j35ko1s wrote

So is messing with kids.

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[deleted] t1_j35kvgc wrote

[deleted]

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kgiann t1_j35lvgi wrote

The concern is recidivism.

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[deleted] t1_j35mmsp wrote

[deleted]

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kgiann t1_j35myu3 wrote

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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l_a_ga t1_j35ljat wrote

We’re not talking about someone stealing candy bars.

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[deleted] t1_j35mf59 wrote

[deleted]

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l_a_ga t1_j35n7uw wrote

Go check out the registry for your area. Read the charges. And tell me how many guys “pissing behind a dumpster” you find. I’ll wait

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l_a_ga t1_j35n448 wrote

When it comes to child rapist and predators: no. The point of jail in USA is not rehabilitation and never has been.

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msip313 t1_j35qp70 wrote

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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bloobun t1_j374ygr wrote

Ugh let me ask you, is 8 years a long time? That’s not a long time to me. Pedos get notoriously short sentences. If they plead guilty, even shorter.

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AbsentEmpire t1_j3892uf wrote

OK so to play devil advocate, how long is long enough in your opinion?

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bloobun t1_j38cn93 wrote

I just know that my neighbor went to jail for 8 years. Which is not long.

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AbsentEmpire t1_j38cwz3 wrote

OK, but how long do you think he should have been in jail, how long would be long enough in your view?

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msip313 t1_j38wcsj wrote

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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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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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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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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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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bitterbeerfaces t1_j36m6w2 wrote

and this why the list exists. So people can be aware and avoid those folks

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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_j3acsvz wrote

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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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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radiowave911 t1_j4lthmi wrote

This. I signed up when it first became available a number of years ago. Even though my kids are all adults now, I still am signed up to receive the notifications.

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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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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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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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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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Worried_Astronaut_41 t1_j36db3k wrote

Are you in beaver County so I know to update looking been a while.

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mama-moth OP t1_j374l8e wrote

I’m in Tioga County

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Worried_Astronaut_41 t1_j3c4ygm wrote

Not sure how close I don't think it is but I I do look around my area and Allegheny since I'm originally from there.

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Lemonbrick_64 t1_j3pvj6j wrote

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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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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cuteangelmer t1_j37hbnf wrote

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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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3acae8 wrote

The registry is publicly available and unless they are an SVP it's on you to research it.

There are tons of apps available too.

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radiowave911 t1_j4ltn8l wrote

Sign up on the state police site to get notifications. You can get notifications for up to a 5 mile radius from the address you are monitoring (I.E. your address).

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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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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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