Sex Offenders-Scranton (Dunmore, Throop, Waymart: apartments, day cares, homes)

[Tree-pass]

We are considering a move to Scranton, but according to the sex offenders registry, there seems to be many of them living there? I have 3 young chilldren and one going into college. They all seem to be living in the area of the University. Does anyone know the reason for this, and if it is true that there seems to be a large amount of them in the town?

[scrantonluna]

I don't know if they take into consideration registered offenders currently in the Lackawanna Prison, but it could explain higher numbers.

[Tree-pass]

It seems like there are 1200 prisoners there. When they are released, they likely have probation and no where else to go so they stay in town. Can anyone from scranton comment on this, or is it hush-hush and a secret that stays close to town?

[Cougargm]

These registries serve a purpose, but they're not really a good indicator of the number of offenders in a given area. I work with sex offenders, along with other incarcerated individuals, and they can be found anywhere. For every one that has been convicted, there are 2 or 3 others that have never been caught. The odds of a 'stranger' abducting one of your children isn't that great, even though they're the ones that get the media attention. Most pedophiles get acquainted with their victims, and build up some trust over time. Unfortunately many sex offenders are known to the victim as a coach, youth group leader, babysitter, and worst, a family member.
As for being released into the community I can't speak for county prisons, but most sex offenders ( the majority of whom are doing state time, not county) are prohibited from living close to schools, day cares, etc. upon their parole release.

[Tree-pass]

Cougar,
Thanks for the perspective. It makes total sense and I understand safety is the primary responsibility of the parents and individuals. It just seems like an over-average amount in a small concentrated area. When I read other posts about the town of Scranton, it sounds like a great place so I am just trying to understand if there is a particular reason the the alarming amount of predators.

[scrantonluna]

It could also be due to the fact that some places, like Dunmore and Throop, have actually prohibited sex offenders from living within certain 'zoned' areas; I think it was 2500ft from a school, church, park, etc. In small towns replete with churches, parks, and schools, this meant that only a small percentage of apartments or homes were 'legal' for offenders to live in, so I'm sure some have simply moved to scranton, or were unable to locate in Dunmore, Throop, or a similar restricted area.

[returningtonepa???]

Originally Posted by Tree-pass

It seems like there are 1200 prisoners there. When they are released, they likely have probation and no where else to go so they stay in town. Can anyone from scranton comment on this, or is it hush-hush and a secret that stays close to town?

i'm convinced 50% of them come to SW FLA!!!

[I LOVE PA!]

The same is to be said about Waymart. This is a small rural town that doesn't see much influx of out of towners at all. However their registered sex offenders are all located in the 2 prisons in Waymart. One is a Federal and one is a State prison. Waymart is like Mayberry, very rural, real home town locals who have lived there for generations. They know every outsider who walks into their few stores.

[Tree-pass]

any more response from people raising families or U students?

[scrantonluna]

Just the fact that sex offenders are everywhere. Just as you don't see drug use on every corner, you know it's there.