Viewer e-mails about this special report

Criticism
Its unbelieveable people would do something like this (want to have sex with a kid). However I do have big problems with the whole situation. This IS entrapment, whether you believe it or not. Even if California does have some law, that does not make it right. You are ruining the lives of all these people who may have never did this otherwise. You are also promoting this, because people will get the idea that this happens so much that they will go out and do it themselves. The couple of guys whom you said came back after even having seen your show, is proof of that. --Anonymous

Dear Mr. Hansen, i think you are very much a vigilante. These guys are sick. They way you try to punish them, who gave you the right to play god? I don't know what the solution is. But this is a very serious problem. I think it is entrapment. These predators couldnt 'seduce' someone , if that someone wasnt online to begin with. You're taking a very good guy, bad guy, old west approach and it will backfire. I think you should look at your own wrongdoings, stop playing god. Some of these guys, i am glad you got, they are well deserving of prison. I think some of these guys need help, rehabilitation. I think you are ruining these guys. --Mary Stevens P., Los Angeles

People from all walks of life fell for your jail bait sting and far too many first time offenders were among the arrested, making the fantasy of illegal sex all pervasive in our society. The state of Califonria has a three strikes law. Yet a single conviction pairs a sex crime felon in prison with hardened violent criminals and murderers, which is a draconian criminal injustice in and of itself. I can understand throwing the book at repeat offenders, but they were in the minority. I always thought the media was as evil and sick as the criminals in our midst. And now I am totally convinced. You are not a solution. You are part of the problem. In doing this it creates and invites crime in order to make news for the show. And that in my mind is a crime just as bad as illegal underage sex. To bring out the worst in people doesn't fix the problem. Shame on you! --Henry F., Los Angeles, Calif. (edited)

It might pass the "entrapment" test, but to the best of my knowledge this is not a country that acts on what MIGHT happen. There was no underage child in the house, and no contact whatsoever was made between the "predator" and the fantasy "victim". As much as I despise that pedophiles exist, the laws of this country are not there to assume what might take place. Even people who attempt to hire hitmen to murder someone can't be touched until the money exchanges hands.  I only watched the second half of this latest sting operation, and none of the previous shows on the subject. I'm not sure which part of the broadcast is the hardest for me to handle: the creeps who enter the house or the thought that we will soon be held criminally responsible for what someone, anyone, decides we might do one day. --Rosann J., Bellevue, Wa. (edited)

Thank yous
We love and respect Chris Hansen, his crew, and Stone Philips. It was hard to imagine the cops catching so many of those sickos in a couple of days. And the sex offenders who were still operating among the public, is hard to fathom. Thanks. We are waiting for Predator IV. --Suzette Lee, San Antonio, Texas

I truly appreciate your dedication to do this kind of work you did in catching these disturbed individuals. I think it would be great to do a follow up episode to find out what really happened to these men. It would be a good way to send a message out to those men who are still hurting our children on the Internet and even those men who are abusing in their own home, with children they live with. I hope you continue re-airing the show so we can continue sending the message out that sex/molestation with a minor in this country is a serious matter with consequenses. --Alicia, Southern California

I want to thank you for your Internet predator investigation. I watched it along side my 3 children 10, 12, 14. Your show allowed them to see what could happen and who might really be on the other side. It made for great questions, comments, and answers. Now they know that this is real and not just mom nagging. Thank you again. --Michelle French, Dubuque, Iowa

Kudos to Chris! What an excellent 2 hours of busting these snapperheads! If volunteers in Tucson can rally together to protect US/Mexican borders, why can't citizens rally together for community watch programs similar to your investigation? Families, parents, adults would be willing to volunteer to snag these twisted squirrels and get them thrown in the clink ASAP! Our family watched all of these specials and coached friends and family to watch as well. Mr. Hansen did a GREAT JOB! We all felt the adrenalin rush each time Chris appeared in the kitchen.  --Cari Lowry, Cary, N.C.

Chris, I am a single mother of two girls ages 9 and 12 and happen to see the show on "catching internet predators." I wanted to write to say thank you. It wasn't until last night that i learned that BOTH my children had profiles on "my space". I usually have close tabs on where my girls are online but that one some how snuck by. After watching the show WITH my children, we deleted their profiles from that Web site and we had a long conversations about the kind of things that can happen online. I have seen the shows you have done before on the same thing and i would be very interested to see you do one here in NH. I have always tried to warn my children about the kind of people that are online but you can never be to safe. Thank you again!!! --Kelly

Thank you for validating what my husband and I have been trying to get through to our 9th grade triplet daughters. What overwhelming proof that not only are predators are out there in record numbers, they are willing to stop at nothing to reach their victims. Our daughters thought we were over reacting when we made them cancel their "My Space" accounts last month! As disturbing as the content was, I watched every minute of your special last night, and taped it for mandatory family viewing! --Libby Starnes, Severna Park, Md.

I think this abhorrent behavior of human relationships is as old as the race itself. I was a lucky child where the conversations in my home growing up were very open and not subject to censorship. We could tell our parents practically anything and felt free to question them about whatever concerned us. Even with that healthy environment I now think back to around 4th or 5th grade (pre-cyberspace) when my neighborhood friends started talking about a "weird old guy" that had a lot of dirty books and showed them to kids. A friend and I took it upon ourselves to "spy" on this man, several times and even though we never made contact with him, we found it absolutely thrilling and never thought it was dangerous. The saddest thing about this story is I never told my parents and I had every opportunity to do so. I knew the man was a "bad" guy and I never spoke up. Now I wonder why I didn't and how many children he could have hurt. My point in telling this is with the Internet unregulated by parents the potential child thrill seeker, as I was, is greatly manifested. Children are just naturally curious and to have this much power at their fingertips is so incredible. I am the mother of four children and I do not think any parent can be too diligent, the cyberspace world is another end of the age of innocence. --California

Chris, my husband and I watched with interest and disgust the first two reports aired on Dateline. The second one, we had our 15 year old daughter watch with us. She's been wanting to do the MySpace.com thing and we've been hesitant - now she knows why! We watched last night with our 13 year old son and talked about predators being people kids know - teachers, etc. Unfortunately, our son went to bed before he got to see my uncle processing the man whose victim you talked to! Thank you and good job on the investigation - keep up the good work! Be assured, I'll be sending a note to my uncle and the group he worked with! --Liz

It would be interesting for Dateline to do a show that follows up on those that were arrested on your recent episode. I would like to know what each was charged with, if they were found guilty of the charges, and what their sentences were. It is disturbing to know that some of these predators had current criminal activity, yet were still on the street, and not locked up as they should be. --Jane, Indianapolis, Ind.

As a former social services investigator involved in the investigation and prosecution of sexual predators, your "To Catch a Predator" segments have been instrumental in making the general public aware of the real danger these 'men' pose to our children. Hats off to law enforcement in Southern California for taking the next step and getting these guys off the street. Keep up the good work! --Jon, Upstate, N.Y.

After watching your first two specials I realized how dangerous it is on the Internet. Before watching your program I used give my first name email address to anyone but now I am a little more cautious. Thank you and keep up the good work! --Anonymous

I am a person who has never written any letter to any media, whether it be newspaper of television.... i must commend you on your work with 'To Catch a Predator'... in a sea of mundane and disgraceful 'real tv': it is good to see a newsmagazine exposing predators who prey on children, you could even create a whole new show on this... keeping these creeps off the streets will ultimately save many children from being harmed, or potentially killed... keep it up... --Shaun J. Auger, Montreal, Quebec

Chris, Are you shocked that predators are rabbi's, teacher's and doctor's, not just thugs? Don't know why that I am.. I guess I am trusting of most all people. Thank You for opening my eyes. Thank You for exposing this problem. Parents need to be aware. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 5 month old. It makes me ill to think someone would and could  violate them.. Thank You Again!!I can't wait to see next weeks report..Keep up the good work. --Amy Cuttino

Dateline, I commend the excellent work your staff is doing and although you may not haven achieved your goals to communicate the message to individuals who obviously are sick and need therapy; you certainly open the door so our children and we parents can alert them of the garbage they can encounter through the Internet. My husband and I thank your entire staff for all the hard work and may God bless you all. --W. Fernandez

I know first hand how sad and scary this report is. This is when I was 16 and chatting just like children today, men of ages I didn’t know existed asked me to meet them. Lucky I was smart enough not to - but not all minors are that smart. Keep up the good work, you’ll catch those predators everywhere. This one was going to travel two  hours to meet me; sad, really sad. it makes me want to cry...—Lee Brown, Santa Clara, Calif.

Thank you so much for making a difference in the perverted worlds of these sex offenders. I was amazed to learn of the quantity that exists in my home of Southern California, and I am proud of the proactive efforts of people/organizations like yourselves who want to make a difference. —Jennifer, Alta Loma, Calif.

I applaud every person who played a part in catching the predators and locking them up. A man who is involved in such an awful crime is not a man. We are here to protect children not to distroy them.I thank all of you and bless you. From a mom and now a grandmother. —Sharon R., Bethel, Pa.

Chris Hansen, I just wanted to tell you that you did a great job, I have to say I was glad to see all those men arrested. Pulled a heart string I guess being a victim of child molestation myself. I thought the way you caught them all off guard was great, and your combacks to their responses was genius. — Anonymous, Ohio

Hi, Chris: Nice work. I have been evaluating and “treating”  sex offenders for nearly 30 years. As you found out, most of them look nothing like a perp and it’s easy to ease-off on them. I always look at them and ask myself how their victims saw them. It keeps it in perspective. Keep up the good work. —Steven Wolf, Ph.D., Richmond, Va.

That some of the men had seen previous editions of this program, and still showed up, was incredible to read. It is disturbing to read this and it makes me wonder how prevalent this sort of thing is, how often does it happen for real, in the US and in Canada as well. If the men did not even consider that this supposed face to face meeting with a minor - for sex of some sort - was not going to be real, and that they may be caught and charged for going to the address given by the person on the other end of the Internet connection, how often do they do this sort of thing for real? If it is that easy to catch Internet predators preying on minors for any sort of illegal purposes, why do the police departments in the US and Canada not do the same? —Deanne, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

I feel that pedophiles are the worst type of sexual offender. They prey on the minds and egos of young children who are at the age that they feel they can “take care of themselves”. I thank goodness there was no Internet when I was a child. My interaction with adults then was damaging enough. —A. Goldman, Adger, Ala.

Mr. Hansen, Thank you so much for bringing this troubling issue to the forefront. For so long, the subject has been ignored and put into the ‘that will never happen to my child’ category. Most people do not believe the incredible number of predators out there, or how ‘normal’ they appear in public. By exposing these creeps, we can began to educate the public and and better protect our children. —Katherine, Bowie, Md.

I applaud you for this work that you do! These perverts should be exposed, they do not deserve any sympathy or privacy. Anyone that would prey upon children is an animal, and I believe it should be a capital offense. My own daughter was so traumatized when some pervert sent her a live feed of him “molesting” himself, that she will not even chat online anymore. That’s alright with me. —Theresa Jewell, Anderson, S.C.

It amazes me that these men actually keep showing up!!! Time after time! There really is no end to it. I have a friend who tells her children...no chat rooms...ever! Can this be the only answer? Although, I did find myself playing dominos on Yahoo games, and my opponent asked if I minded if he played naked, and would I like to know what he looked like? I think I disappointed him by telling him I didn’t care what he looked like, dressed or undressed, and I only was there to play dominoes. He left the table shortly after that! They really are everywhere! –AG, Ala.

Chris, I am a single mother of two, they are ages are 10 and 11. I am soo glad you are doing these undercover investigations. They are really opening up our eyes to what happens in the Internet. This is why I do not allow my children or any child that comes into my house on the internet without vary close supervision. Please continue to do this. We as caregivers and role models need to thank you in depth to what you are doing. Continue your incredible work… God Bless You and yours. I would also like to know the Web site to see these horrific people that are steeling the youth and innocence from our children.—Tracy Ferguson, New Brighton, Minn.

Thank you, thank you, thank you... I am a probation officer, who supervises sex offenders in Rice County, MN. If you can stop just one Internet predator from molesting a child, you have done sooooooooooo much.—Scott Halvorson, Faribault, Minn.

Thank you so much for getting the facts out about these sick people. I have watched everyone of the shows about Internet predators. And I will continue to watch and let others know about your show.—Linda Stowe, Canon, Ga.

Chris, as a father of three young children, I sincerely thank you for the efforts you are making to help children be (if only a little) safer. This is courageous and the noblest of cause I have seen a journalist undertake in several years.—Michael Dragun, Stewartsville, N.J.

Your investigations are providing a huge service to the children and parents of this country by identifying pedophiles on the internet. Hopefully, Dateline will awaken the desire in parents to police their children’s computer usage in a more thoughtful manner.—Kathleen Gunnison

I am 49 years old, and married, and frankly I am shocked at some of the things I see routinely on the internet, and it’s not just in chat rooms either. I sometimes play games on Yahoo or Zone.com and you wouldn’t believe the sexual advances and how they blatant they are, and this is a gaming Web site. Please continue to inform the public about this, and for God’s sake, if you have young children and teenagers in the house, make sure the computer is out in the open, instead of in their bedrooms behind closed doors...no good can come of that.—Michelle Gonzalez, Tampa, Fla.

I’m 56 and suffered a childhood of sexual abuse from my stepfather, as well as from a family friend and neighbor with my mother’s and stepfather’s “blessing.” The horror with which I viewed your report on sexual predators made me want to write to congratulate you on your incredible investigation. PLEASE keep reporting on this. For every stranger who performs these acts on children there is probably a parent, step-parent or family friend who does the same. Instead of hiding in shame and fear as I did, perhaps children will eventually begin to feel brave enough to report to authorities about these crimes themselves, both the online predators and the family ones. Maybe you will have scared some creeps into thinking twice about performing the crimes. Your report is done so well. It’s a comfort to someone like me who suffered for years in silence, to see some of the “bad guys” get what is coming to them. —J. Smith

As a single mother, life is tough enough!! The Internet is a wonderful place most of the time. It’s good to see that someone cares enough to try to keep things decent for our children. This is why my computer sits out in the living room, where I can see everything that goes on. I also let my children watch your program, to back me up when I tell them there are some really sick, twisted people in this world! —T.F., Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Dateline report took courage on the part of Chris Hansen and those who worked the assignment. We needed this eye opener. Many people are in complete denial in regard to sexual predators, they live in every state and every town. There are sexual predators who live in my town and continue to spend there idle time looking for victims. The parole/probation officers are overwhelmed with case loads and don’t know what the predator is doing. Any information you can bring to the public will allow people to open there eyes wide and take action. Also a good program would be one where children can learn defense, responses, and just how to run for help. Too many women, children are taken like a lamb for the slaughter. Thank You. —Jacqueline Poisson, Westerly Rhode Island

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