Canon-McMillan Patch, how long are you going to milk this non-issue of 'sex-offenders' on Halloween so you can charge Netflix and other advertising fees? It would be nice in this day and age of you would stick to the real issues we face instead of riding this dead horse.

Milk a dead issue? This is the only story that I recall writing on this topic, sir. Also: This was a feature story that ran on pretty much every Patch in the region as a service to our readers. One story. If you'd like to call me to discuss things further, though, I would be happy to speak with you. 724-510-5659.

Sex offenders have the lowest recidivism rate of all criminals except murderers, according to dozens of university, federal and state studies. Not all sex offenders have victimized children, and over 1/3 of sex crimes perpetrated against children are committed by other children. 95% of kids are abused by family or friends who aren't on the registry. Dr. Jill Levenson’s 2009 study, “How Safe are Trick-or-Treaters: Child Sex Crime Rates on Halloween?” found that non-familial child sexual abuse accounted for less than .2% on Halloween. Why is law enforcement spreading such glaring myths, and why is the media latching on??

Shana, If you'd like to put your comment in the form of a letter to the editor, I would be happy to run it. Just let me know what you think. I am the editor of the site.

Ha people are silly. This is all right to know information. Which means regardless of how you feel on the subject, you have the right to know as a parent or community member. You also have the right to not read anything you want. I guess people just like to complain. Perhaps this is a good time for me to point out that statistics show that i hate to read online literature! How dare you make me read all this news! Silly people.

It is right to know information...but in typical Patch style they have to add little tidbits like "think about this before you take your kid trick or treating". Yes, avoid these streets and neighborhoods full of good upstanding people because one sex offender lives on the block. Patch (and this editor in particular) just likes to print things that cause paranoia or intense arguments..they don't really cover a whole lot of actual news.

To parents concerned about sex offenders on Halloween...unless you let your children go unsupervised and/or allow random people to lure them into a house without your supervision, I'm going to go out on a limb and presume you have nothing to worry about. Enjoy the festivities without freaking out about 10 houses out of thousands in the area.

Dblock - this editor in particular offers you, as always, a chance to write a signed letter to the editor on this or any subject. As always: If anyone needs to reach me, I am at 724-510-5659.

I am not really sure why anyone would be upset with a bit more information to keep our children safe. Do with it what you wish, read it or not, have your children stay clear of those homes or not, it is simply there for informative purposes. Knowledge is powerful, to be used as we see fit.

I agree. This article doesn't even have to pertain to JUST children. I for one, walk everywhere, to and from work, pretty late. I am glad this article and website has been published so I know what areas to stay clear of walking back late at night. I wasn't aware that something like this existed until posted. I'm not overly freaked out about it but I do get concerned. Simply there as dalio for informative purposes.

Also, it is a writers job as a patch, a news source, or otherwise, to draw people to a story and create interest or debate. How can someone be mad at people for doing their job?

Honestly, my only objection to this information is that it does not also include the name, picture, and offense that the individual was charged with. Give us more. Let me decide if they are truely dangerous.

Kim, that is why I included this link: http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/SearchMunicipality.aspx (it includes further information - and you can search by municipality). Some of the information you inquired about is there. The criminal records system in PA is also public record. If you'd like any more info on that, I'd be happy to post a link for that, too (or email you one, whichever you would prefer). Just let me know how I may be of assistance to you. Thanks for your input!

While some here defend the author's position in posting this story, remember the map information may not be correct. This idea of a map is an open invite to lead other astray.

As the author pointed out, the same kind of story was posted on other Patch sites. One comment reminded the author of that piece that the picture associated with the map pointed to the house of the commenter, not the house of the offender. For those of us who have used the maps and pictures, we know that often the pictures are wrong (at least 50% of the time, not rare). In the case cited above, such was the case. Somebody who is not part of the problem suddenly became known as being part of the problem for the wrong picture.

More information about the topic might be good, but getting the information right is more important. Trying to make a story from vague and oft-wrong maps is dangerous and puts others at risk. This approach to the topic was irresponsible.

Roger, I thank you, too, for your comments. If you'd ever like to write a letter to the editor on this or anything else, please email me at amanda.gillooly@patch.com. Or you can always call me at 724-510-5659.

Would be interesting to superimpose a map of the elementary schools on this. They seem to be close to the markers.

As a parent, I appreciate attention to this and the link. It's ironic that those who don't see the importance of this article took the time to read it.

I wasn't talking about the impact of the map. I was talking about the overall tone of the article Roger. It has made an impact because you, me, everyone who has commented on this article; whether you agree with what it says or not, is commenting. If people are having that much trouble with the maps then look at the Megan's Law Website that was linked.

Now that the t 'n t season is over, who can report that they, their friends and neighbors, sent the map with their children on their travels?

Again, as I previously stated in another comment. Who says that this article has to just gear towards "t 'n' t season?" The article mentions it but it's not the first thing that came to my mind. Some people may appreciate this article because they have to work night/overnight shifts at work and would like to stay clear of those areas are at least be a little more observant if they are walking back.