Watching the show right now, I'm wondering if the producers are going to start thinking up new lines or scenarios for the stings? Obviously, these guys are getting wise to the investigations, and turn to run once they hear "Stay put, I've gotta go in the back to get something," or if they see a table with some drinks set out or the girl holding a laundry basket.. I saw in the opening a clip of an outdoor meeting, so maybe that's a step in the right direction.

Please if someone can explain why in Pa we don't have Dateline? We have had it but tonight it isn;t on.

This is a great program, and should be on weekly!! You would think people would get a clue that is wrong to expose children to their twisted sexual games.  Hopefuly this will be a wake-up call to parents.

As a parent of three, I certainly can see the value of this material as a wakeup call to parents.  However, I am unable to understand the networks' irresponsible decision to air this broadcast at 7:00 pm central time.  Many young children are awake with their families during these hours and certainly don't need to be exposed to any sort of discussion that includes rape, anal sex, bondage etc..  Why the network can't impose some journalistic integrity is beyond me.  It is amazing to me that a seasoned network, like NBC, would not use better judgement.

Disgusted and Disappointed in St. Louis

I SEE THAT ALL THE LOCATIONS ARE IN THE SUBURBS OF MAJOR CITIES..WHY CAN'T THESE TYPE OF STINGS BE DONE IN LOUISIANA SUCH AS IN THE BATON ROUGE AND NEW ORLEANS ,LA. AREAS..WITH ALL THE RECENT ACTIVITIES IN THESE AREAS ABOUT THE SERIAL MURDERS,STREET MURDERS AND CHILD MOLESTATION CASES IN AND AROUND THESE AREAS,I KNOW IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF DATELINE NBC WOULD ASSIST THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO RID THESE PARISHES OF THESE PREDATORS ..I SAY THIS BECAUSE I HAVE A 5 YR.OLD AND MANY NIECES I WANT TO SEE BE SAFE FROM THESE SCUM..BELIEVE ME I LIVE IN THE BATON ROUGE ARE,WORKED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 6 YRS..AND THERE RESOURCE ARE FEW DUE TO THE EXCESS OF PEOPLE DUE TO HURRICANE RITA AND KATRINA..PLZ. HELP US IDENTIFY AND RID OUR AREA OF THESE PREDATORS..THNK YOU..I WOULD LIKE TO STAY ANNONYMOUS..SO THAT YOU WOULD LOOK ON THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICES WEBSITE AND SEE WHAT THE EAST BATON ROUGE AND LIVINGSTON PARISH AREAS ARE AFFECTED WITH..THANK YOU AND I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD HELP OUR COMMUNITY...

Dateline appears at 8:00 PM here in NH and I actually have my daugther watch this program. She has been molested before by a relative and this program has convinced her that the internet can be a dangerous place. She won't go on any chat lines and won't even use MY Space because of the potential danger.
PLEASE take the program to New England so those of us here can see these type of perverts reside everywhere.I don't know how you keep from assaulting these creeps.Hope to see you in New England soon

Are these alledged preditors being tested for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases? Some crimes mandate the testing for sex offenders in some states.

I'm shocked and horribly amazed that dateline would televise this sheer violence and brutality by whatever police department is on-air.  It's wrong the excessive amount of force being used.  Tazer-gun someone?  WRONG.  Throw them to the ground?  WRONG.  Push them to the ground?  WRONG.  Throw them around? WRONG.

I wish Dateline would show exactly how much conversation is being used to lead these men on?   A conversation that lasts 10 days is surely entrapment and leading.

I'm not sitting here saying meeting up with a 13 year old is appropriate, but I am saying that time will show that everyone lies on the web in chat.  Age, weight and 'other' body dimensions.

I think this program is a great wake up call for parents and teens. However, I do believe it should be on at a later time as I have four young children that don't need to be exposed to this. I also was wondering why you don't ever catch any women doing these things?

This show needs to become a weekly airing if possible.  Parents your children are at risk of lifetime damage while you sit around not paying attention WAKE UP.  Everyone of these guys should be castrated and thrown in a deep dark hole-
This is the sickest and lowest form of action one human being can inflict on another person.  i also agree with the other comment on Big city stings-Im sure its happening is small towns as well.

Throw Mark Shawley in the same hole for his comments.

good story well done do more but,  anyway before presidential elections why dont you go to work sites and find how many illegals work there, how they live? how many kids they have here? what taxes they pay? if any? how they get around with paychecks cashed? independent contractors what taxes they pay? would be a good story before 2008

i'd just like to say i believe this is the most wonderful dateline story.......i just wish i could help!!!!   thanx dateline  :}

I believe it is ok for teenagers to watch this show. It put faces to who they are chatting with.  Some teenagers take this as a joke and can serve as a wake up call.

Hansen, these predator reports are huge. Like watching a train wreck. I am hooked.

Sean in Vancouver, Canada

ps. My fiance thinks your hot.

I fully admit that what these predators are doing is worng..what i do not understand is why they insist on talking to hansen or the police.  What they did was way wrong....talking about it makes it worse. Getting a lawyer BEFORE they talk is the wise move after they havde been caught.  The wisest move would not to engage in this activity to begin with.  

Enjoy the program and what it has accomplished, but 2 questions:
1) Why have the whole charade of talking with the predator, when their appearance and chat log is evidence of the criminal intent?  This seems to extend the whole process without purpose, even more so for people that sent pornagraphic pictures beforehand.

2) Why the whole "candid camera" approach to let the person know that they are being filmed?  Just to see their reaction seems rather trivial, given they know they are in trouble when they see Chris Hansen.

Mark you are right about the entrapment, that is why these guys do not get heavy sentences for their crimes.

I watch your show with great interest. As a grandmother of small children,I want to see the monsters put away for life.  Why can't it be law to castrate each and every one of them so they will be put out of business from victimizing our children? I would like to see more updates on what the sentencing is with those we have seen in the past; such as, the surgeon who had to call his wife to come and get him.
Please keep up the great work. I would like to see you in the Atlanta area. I would welcome assisting in your work cleaning up our society.

Hi Chris, GREAT JOB! Ever since you started doing this it has opened many conversations about sex offenders.  I worked at a facility here in IL for juvenile sex offenders and the last guy that was caught is a perfect example of non-treatment for people with mental disabilities.  You asked the officer if he believed the offender and he said no and I'm sorry to say this but is the officer well trained on people with mental disabilities?  Not to defend the offender but we want to be objective about this whole thing so that we can find a possible solution and provide better prevention tips for society.  The young man had a scar on his right side and if by any chance that was caused by a sever blow to the head or something like that his judgment is going to be off by a lot! I would like to see an effort of reporting on the social services or community services that treat these types of people and see how effective they are in providing services to these people.  Some have been victims of abuse when they were children and have never dealt with that so they act out. Also, how is our society contributing to this problem? Music videos, commercials, TV shows, thongs for sale for pre-teen girls at Target! I'm not someone on the far right I lean pretty far to the left but I don't lack common sense.  Not to say that women are at fault if something happens to them but that our young girls need to realize that showing too much at an early age is not the best practice either.  Children don't have the ability or knowledge to always catch what’s going on around them and that's something that needs to be talked about.  There are a lot of sex offender programs around the country and the ones that treat juveniles have a hard time because if they can't get them the treatment they need before they hit 21 they usually release them into society and hope for the best.  There isn't a safety net in place for society or these people that have mental disabilities so it's not a prison sentence that will help someone in some cases when they go to prison the inmates in there realize they got "fresh meat" and abuse them some more then when these guys come out their worse they what they already are.  If you ask the prison system if this happens they will say no because they don't want to get in trouble but it does happens all the time so you can spend the rest of your time doing these shows and see repeat offenders come knocking on your door until they get the help they really need. As for the other guys with a Lexus and stuff well....I guess their just morons! But THANKS again for your effort in providing REAL stories and not just any hype!

I watch your show with great interest. As a grandmother of small children,I want to see the monsters put away for life.  Why can't it be law to castrate each and every one of them so they will be put out of business from victimizing our children? I would like to see more updates on what the sentencing is with those we have seen in the past; such as, the surgeon who had to call his wife to come and get him.
Please keep up the great work. I would like to see you in the Atlanta area. I would welcome assisting in your work cleaning up our society.

I watch your show with great interest. As a grandmother of small children,I want to see the monsters put away for life.  Why can't it be law to castrate each and every one of them so they will be put out of business from victimizing our children? I would like to see more updates on what the sentencing is with those we have seen in the past; such as, the surgeon who had to call his wife to come and get him.
Please keep up the great work. I would like to see you in the Atlanta area. I would welcome assisting in your work cleaning up our society.

Mr. Hansen and Dateline Crew: Please keep up the excellent job you have been doing with the 'Predator' series! I work as a Mental Health Professional in S. Idaho, and know first hand how bad verbal and emotional abuse can be for kids, and grew up in a house where sexual abuse was the norm. As for those who disagree with the polices' use of the tazer in Long Beach, the creep got what he had coming! He was given the opportunity to surrender peacefully, but refused! Parent; PLEASE keep an eye on your kids when they are on line; the world is getting sicker! As for the program, Dateline: When does Idaho get a chance for your help? THANK YOU for your continued courage in uncovering this social cancer! Respectfully...Virgil Anderson, BS, PSR

I want to know how I can set up a undercover here at my house and help get some of these bastards out of here.

I support this program and its' efforts to get offenders off the street and the internet. However, I had a serious concern this evening when at 8:05 with the television on in the background, the terms "anal sex" and "anal rape" were coming across to my 5 and 9 year old. Though I think it's my responsibility to teach my children about sexual predators, I would rather not have then hear terms like this during prime time. I only request that either have this programming on after 9pm, or offer a warning of "explicit language" when the show opens. I do still believe terms like that are pretty explicit.
Again, please continue this operation and protect our children, it's an amazing effort and opens our eyes to the reality. I would just like to keep my children's eyes (and ears) protected a little longer if I can.

Does anyone know what street in Long Beach the decoys were taping from?

Keep up the good work Chris and Dateline.  This needs to be franchised somehow. Bill Gates donate some of your money to a great cause. Protecting our future, our children!  I would volunteer gladly to hook these sickos!

As a father of young boys I must thank you for airing this program in general and including male decoys specifically.  The language was more than I really like but it was an excellent example to my sons that predators of boys don't look any different from anyone else.  Thank you for this vivid demonstration.  Please consider an edited version of this program for younger audiences.  I would personally petition to make it available to parents, schools and youth programs.

On a side note
Has any organization which supports this type of act; child abuse, predation or even child marriage, NAMBLA, certain religious groups, etc. ever had the nerve to issue a statement about your program.  Just curious.

At first I had a similar reaction as one of the above people when I saw the taser gun used.  I thought that was a bit excessive.  But you know what...under the circumstances of these guys being pervs and going after 13 year old girls....screw em...they dont deserve any rights at all.

I feel that the 'To Catch a Predator' series is doing a great service to our society. With everything involved to set up the 'stings', anyone can see that it takes a lot of work. I commented on this series several weeks ago asking that you come to the state of Maine, as nobody thinks anything bad happens here. Maine is known as 'Vacationland', and I think it makes people think that they can get away with just about anything here. For example, two of the 9/11 hijackers stayed overnight at a Coastline Inn in South Portland, Maine before they boarded a flight to Boston just to hijack one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. Sometimes I feel this state is a 'safe haven' to criminals. In addition, there are several sexual offenses that occur here, including rapes and only a couple of weeks ago, a man who, with his wife and children, at an indoor amusement park for children, exposed himself in a populated exhibit where children play. Come to Maine! They are hiding here!

As far as the comment from Mark Shawley of Washington, D.C. that these 'stings' are 'entrapment'; that is absolutely preposterous! It does not matter what the (13 year-old) decoy says; these men are adults and should know better. THEY  engage in the sexual conversations, THEY send the x-rated pictures, THEY purchase the alcohol, drugs, and condoms, THEY show up! The intent of these men is painfully obvious. If Dateline NBC, Perverted Justice, and law enforcement weren't there, and this were an 'authentic date', I shudder to think what might happen.

Dateline; I am amazed at the content of noy only your show but also the blogs!...they seem to encompass a large spectrum of our society...while lacking a sense of just what this country was founded on. Let me elaorbaite; the subjects are as followes
1. Locations.
 As far as getting "Dateline" into every small town
 in America, this is totally impractibal, and would
 take more time then is prudent for the existing  
 problem, not to mention the cost and manpower. Each
 and every American needs to take the "BULL" by the
 tail and stand for a fight! I am not promoting
 vigilantisim...there are many other routs.
2.Castratrion; This answer is nothing but a
 "Band-Aid" on a cancer. If one of these individuals
 was dealt with in this way, they would only go
 another route...oral, digital,visual and many, many
 other ways unimanagiable. How many body parts do we
 eliminate? These preadators have an insciable
 appetite that is very seldom cured by medical help.
3.S.T.D. Testing; YES...Anyone cought in a dievient
 sexual act should be tested before being introduced
 to the entire prison population. We all pay way too
 much to house, feed, clothe and guard these
 individuals without adding medical/hospital expense
 to our taxes.
4.Terms; Anal, Oral, Masturbate and ect. This is a
 real life show...I believe if it dosen't already
 contain a "disclaimer"...IT SHOULD! This is not a
 show for children!!! Parents taked heed and control!
5.Police Brutality/Tasers; BE ADVISED; We are all
 animals and when backed into a corner, with no
 escape, there are three choices; give up, flight,
 or FIGHT! What do you think a true preadator would
 do? The Law Enforcement Units are well within the
 boundries of "COMMON" scense as dictated by the
 situation. Law Enforcement is extremly well trained
 to recognize the potential hazards in their
 profession and most time deal with it accordingly.
6.Entrapment; Yes...I have taken notice of the issue
 and would like to see the whole unedited transcript
 to determin just how much the individuals have been
 led on over the course of ten (10) days. I am
 concerned about the "NEW WORLD ORDER" that our
 democracy is being swallowed up by.
In closing I would state that I enjoy "Dateline" and
the way that these individuals are dealt with, also I am lookin foreward to thier next format in the park with the decoy as bait, as this will eliminate all questions of entraptment. Good job "Dateline" and good job Chris!!!!
 











 
vigilantalism

I had tried talking with my 14 year old daughter about the dangers of chatting with strangers online. She had the attitude that nothing could happen to her...so one night I asked her to watch "Predator" with me. It really opened her eyes to how dangerous it is, and that a lot of the people chatting online are not honest and trustworthy. She no longer chats with anyone outside of her circle of friends, and does not invite anyone on to her "space". I also do checks of her page, without notice, which she now understands and realizes why I have been doing it. I think this show is a great opener for parents to discuss these serious issues with their kids. I know it helped a lot with my daughter. Thank you, and keep up the good work!

How about a "Predator" marathon one of these weekends - broadcast all the episodes back to back.  A lot of people would like to record the entire series.

nice to see this show back. it opens people's eyes to the bad stuff happening to kids. while this "sting" makes for good reality TV programming, more time should be spent on the underlying social causes and outline specifically to parents what they can do to prepare and shield their kids from predators and social networking venues chatrooms leading to danger and subversive behavior, and perhaps direct kids on more wholesome and safe internet destinations such as Piczo.

GOOD JOB CHRIS, THIS PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON A LONG TIME A GO. BUT WE HAVE IT NOW !! CAN YOU TELL US OR LET US KNOW IF THIS SERIES IS GOING TO BE PUT ON DVD IN THE FURTURE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET A COPEY OF ALL OF THEM TO SHOW TO MY SONS AND HIS FRINDS WHAT COULD HAPPEN OUT THERE ON THE NET , THANKS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS !! YOU HEAR BRO!!  KEEP IT UP !! THANKS.

also what is it with those porn web sites that read, "Barely Legal"  what does that suggest?? That younger is better, the more wrong something is or forbidden the more erotic it is for these guys?  And what's with the whole "school girl fantasy" with guys?  Women dress up like that at strip clubs.  On one hand society is telling these guys that it is ok to look at young women nude and fantasize about school aged girls and then on the other there's the predator.  I don't think any of it is right.  

I just had to respond to this idiot above (Mark Shawley, Washington DC). Tazer-gun someone? Absolutely - if you don't understand law enforcement you shouldn't comment.  If you don't listen to the police you will and should get tazered. Throw/push them to the ground? Why not? Do they know if they have a gun/knife etc..?? Lead these men on?? you're a complete fool and it's surely entrapment and leading. You'll probably be profiled on the next show. STOP drinking the cool-aid and wake up! I can't stand ignorant people like yourself.

As a society, when a danger presents itself as a threat to our children, we make all attempts to eliminate those threats. ie: if a dog atttacks a child, the dog is eliminated, even if this was a first time attack by a "house pet". We buy helmets for bike rides, car seats and vaccinate against disease that have not been around for 40 years. Only to find that these people that are the TRUE dangers are allowed to repeatedly prey, attack and destroy our children.
I am sorry if the people have an illness that causes such behavior, and that we send more money to prevent someone from smoking in public then rehabilitation for these preditors. The truth is that the only way to stop a preditor from this behavior is to eliminate them, just ask the ranchers of the Northwest regarding wolves: The wolves only do what is natural to them also. So if you are tired of your "sheep" getting taken - Kill the Wolf.

i think this program is monumental. of all the stuff on tv, this one is changing lives and making a difference to protect children. the only thing i would suggest is coming to the midwest to show that this kind of thing does not only happen in large cities.

They do need to be punished much more severe.It seems there r alot of foreigners that come from countries where young girls r part of society and married off early,and they follow up on these habits in the states.Either way the show is interesting and sad to say there will never be a shortage of these characters.Good Job on the show.

Good Job Dateline! Obviously if you have been able to arrest SO many predators we definitely have a problem on our hands. As far as KKC and Mark Shawley go?.... Shame on you. If our children are on the computer and in the chat rooms then they need to be made aware of how dangerous it is and maybe you SHOULD be talking to your kids instead of hiding them away from society. They should be taught to stay safe and be smart about computer use. For anyone who thinks that's entrapment? Hello! If those predators had any lick of sense or morals in the first place they wouldn't be having conversations about pornographic stuff when the other person they're talking to says they're 12 or 13!!!! Do you know the meaning of intent? It's one thing to talk on a computer and it's a whole other deal when you actually show up with items to go along with the "chat". Come on, you can't holler entrapment when you're being so stupid. I agree things are fairly graphic but if they weren't telling the real deal and the whole story parents wouldn't be all that concerned and probably blow it off. Kudo's to Dateline. Keep up the good work until the scum disappears.

Ignorance, Anthony, is allowing Dateline to convince you that their "To Catch a Predator" series is journalism. This is not about reporting truth, this is not about law enforcement. This is ratings-fetching trash, plain and simple, from the network consistently rated fourth of four. Having recently been accepted to the Chicago Police Academy, I absolutely respect law enforcement's duty to apprehend predators. Having the effort bankrolled by NBC in exchange for the exclusive priviledge of hiding cameras and having Chris Hansen approach the offenders under the guise of being law enforcement IS WRONG. There are more effective ways of apprehending the individuals and, more importantly, preventing children from being exposed to predatory behavior.

i dont know much about computer lucky i found this. I need help with aman who i know did this but cant find the article. it was a sting bust in harris county , alabamalast year if you did this please help me find information on articlen love your shows they are great and help keep it up.

I agree with the comments on using the same locations over and over again. There are so many other states that are begging for Dateline's help. Michigan is one of them!!! Please consider coming here. Also I love these shows and entrapment or not, if it takes 10 days to get these men to show up, that is 10 days these men have invested in chat time. When they get caught doing something illegal that they WILLINGLY participated in I dont want tto hear ANY excuses they are hiding behind. I also agree that we need follow up stories like the doctor that had to call his wife to pick him up ... would like to see that meeting LMAO .... Gooooo Chris and dateline you have ALOT of loyal fans ... please dont stop what you are doing!!!!

Look I am sorry that Anna Nicole Smith is gone. Her death was a terrible tragedy. But there was life before her and there will be life after her. So MSNBC should stop harping on her death. Enough Already. Hello lets get back to life and stop drowning us in her sorrow with your constant news coverage.

WHERE ARE A THE FEMALE PREDATORS? AT THE VIDEO STORE. (I HOPE I'M SELECTED TO SERVE ON JURY-THE DISAPPOINTMENT OVER DECOY IS PALPABLE-I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'D ACTUALLY HAVE DONE IT-WITH THAT.

FI DOLLA. . . NO WAY GUILTY VERDICT FROM ME.

I'll never watch another episode UGH.

I think what your show is doing is Great Justice, to try and help our most prised posessions. I wish more programs would climb aboard and try to help stamp out all this sickness. The people that pursue this stuff have no morals and are sick to the core. I would like to see our Canadian R.C.M.P., try what you are doing in Canada and TAKE OUT THE TRASH....

I think it is not that they are all stupid. Will power apparently isn’t enough to stop those who know that it is wrong. I think that their obsession & drive to sex that is distorted and illegal is greater than their power to rationalize, reason & conduct themselves properly.

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