To Catch a Predator

[Jim Bremner]

yes, but try and explain it to your sons.

There 13 & 17


No matter what I do I'm wrong...good news is that the perp is into girls

[thinkfloyd14]

Which one was he?? What was his name? is he in one of the California episodes?

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by VINMAN
How about the one scumbag on there that told the reporter he had a feeling that it might be a setup, but he figured he would take the chance and try anyway.

Good point. But you have to wonder how many are "flying low" because of all the attention. Could be a lot more effective to forget about the cameras & reporters, and bring a guillotine instead.

Some of the guys seemed genuinely remorseful, and I believe that they are sorry and very ashamed. That's the problem; despite the shame and remorse, they can't control themselves. I'm a teary-eyed liberal of the first order, but I've seen a couple lives ruined by pervs who like "young girls". I wouldn't object to some pretty nasty solutions.

[vash]

man, my brother the cop, busted a friend of mine for messing with a 13 year old girl (in the act). he got the full sentence, and what really amazed me, was that his wife didnt leave his ass. i quit talking to him.

i read somewhere that 1 out of five kids in the chat rooms are really law enforcement people.

[VaSteve]

While I think it makes good "entertainment," I don't agree with non-cops doing the work of police. What if they did shows on something less disgusting...say picking up hookers...or buying drugs... what if they were wrong? Ruin a guy's life. At least on Cops, they always actually have Cops and "all victims are innocent until proven guilty" Here they are judge jury and executioner. From what I recall of this, I don't think an actual cop is running this...just some "Perverted Justice" group of parents who likely get off in their own right on their power.

I'm all for busting these guys by the people who are supposed to be doing this. I just don't see enough controls around how this show is presented to have any integrity.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by VaSteve

I'm all for busting these guys by the people who are supposed to be doing this. I just don't see enough controls around how this show is presented to have any integrity.

Yep. When I watched these last night on youtube, there was also some local TV news version. They had one where the guy drove by the house, but never got out of his vehicle. They pulled him over with cameras and all, and arrested him.

Obviously, there was a degree of intent there. He had contacted the "girl" online and drove by her house a couple times. Just the same, I'm not sure how that would hold up in court, or whether they should have put him on TV.

[VaSteve]

One things I don't understand about the law...when is intent the "crime" as opposed to actually doing the crime? If I leave work and intend to do 90 the whole way home and then shoot up a bunch of drugs, why can't I be arrested now? I guess this is special circumstances?


They recently ruled that computer simulated porn of underage girls was *not* illegal because they couldn't show kids were actually harmed. I don't understand how a 34 year old cop on the other end doesn't somehow fall into the same category.

Just playing devil's advocate here.

[URY914]

My brother is a vice cop. They have several "kids" on line 24/7. They schedule "meets" weekly. Perv's are EVERYWHERE! Protect your kids. Disconnect the web.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by URY914
My brother is a vice cop. They have several "kids" on line 24/7. They schedule "meets" weekly. Perv's are EVERYWHERE! Protect your kids. Disconnect the web.

Yep. My brother's stepdaughter is 12. They recently set up a computer for her in her bedroom, with internet. I think he is out of his freakin' mind.

[VaSteve]

I'm curious about the long term fallout to these cops. It has to mess them up somehow working in that.....

[URY914]

Originally posted by VaSteve
I'm curious about the long term fallout to these cops. It has to mess them up somehow working in that.....

It does. They rotate the cops out of the unit because they get sick of the a-holes the chat with. They get so pissed at them they want to set up the meet too soon just to kick thier a$$. Burn out rate is high.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by VaSteve



They recently ruled that computer simulated porn of underage girls was *not* illegal because they couldn't show kids were actually harmed. I don't understand how a 34 year old cop on the other end doesn't somehow fall into the same category.

There was a ruling in BC a few years ago, stating that it is legal to publish & possess writing and art that depicts sex with children. Same argument was used... while IT IS disgusting, it is not ILLEGAL to imagine or fantasize about things.

These men are being charged with using the internet to make contact with children for the purpose of sexual encounters. Seems pretty clear cut, especially when they are showing up with condoms.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by notfarnow


These men are being charged with using the interent to make contact with children for the purpose of sexual encounters. Seems pretty clear cut, especially when they are showing up with condoms.

(Take the sick part out of it.)

Yeah, but they are not real children, like the cops that set up johns aren't real hookers and drug stings aren't really selling drugs. Obviously some laws have been written to allow police to do this.... I don't understand how it doesn't apply to other crimes. If a cop stopped a guy waering a big coat in the summer for intent to shoplift it's profiling. Is the fact the "vice" squad handles this part of the reason it works?

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by notfarnow
Yep. My brother's stepdaughter is 12. They recently set up a computer for her in her bedroom, with internet. I think he is out of his freakin' mind.

Dangerous. Put an end to it before something happens. There are a lot of perverts out there.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by VaSteve
(Take the sick part out of it.)

Yeah, but they are not real children, like the cops that set up johns aren't real hookers and drug stings aren't really selling drugs. Obviously some laws have been written to allow police to do this.... I don't understand how it doesn't apply to other crimes. If a cop stopped a guy waering a big coat in the summer for intent to shoplift it's profiling. Is the fact the "vice" squad handles this part of the reason it works?

With profiling, you're just narrowing your search down to people you THINK might have intent.

I think this is WAAY beyong profiling. These men contacted what they thought were young girls & boys for sex. They made INTENT was clear and unambiguous. They used the internet to make contact with children, and then went to the address for purpose of having sex with them.

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Dangerous. Put an end to it before something happens. There are a lot of perverts out there.

Agreed. Problem is he is big on TRUST. I think he's nuts
1) I wouldn't trust a hormonal teenager any more than I trust a heroin addict jonesin' for a fix
2) I don't think the internet, unsupervised, is a safe portal for children & teens

[URY914]

Most states now have laws against contacting minors for sex. That is how they get them.

Not the same as talking to hookers. You can still do that until you ask "how much?"

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by URY914

Not the same as talking to hookers. You can still do that until you ask "how much?"

I don't see why... I'm a bargain shopper!

[slakjaw]

OK I have an idea for a spoof. One of the camera guys order pizza for lunch, the delivery guy shows up and the girl is like wait here at the bar. The news guy comes out and says "what are you doing here"