Scranton Registered Sex Offenders

Scranton residents can search for registered sex offenders through the Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law website at meganslaw.psp.pa.gov. The public search tool is free and requires no account or login. Searches can run by name, zip code, or by radius from any address in Scranton. Results include each offender's photo, current address, and the offense that required registration. This page explains how the sex offender registry works in Scranton and what residents of Lackawanna County need to know about Pennsylvania Megan's Law.

About the Scranton Sex Offender Registry

Pennsylvania operates one statewide sex offender registry that covers all 67 counties, including Lackawanna County and the city of Scranton. The Pennsylvania State Police administer this registry under 42 Pa.C.S. Chapter 97. Any registered sex offender who lives, works, or attends school in Scranton is listed in the same Megan's Law database used statewide. There is no separate Scranton city registry.

The City of Scranton website provides contact information for city departments, including the police department, for residents with questions about public safety in the area.

Each offender record in the registry includes the person's full name, known aliases, year of birth, current residential address, and a recent photograph. The offense that required registration is listed along with the conviction date when available. Employment city and county are also shown. The registry updates the same day any change is entered into the system, so results reflect the most current information PSP has on file.

Note: PSP acknowledges that some data may lag behind real-time changes. Call 1-866-771-3170 to report any information that appears outdated for a Scranton offender.

How to Search Scranton Sex Offenders

Go to meganslaw.psp.pa.gov to search for registered sex offenders in Scranton. Select Lackawanna County from the county dropdown and then filter by Scranton city to return all registered offenders with Scranton addresses. You can also search by specific Scranton zip codes to narrow results to a particular neighborhood.

The radius search is one of the most useful tools for Scranton residents. Enter any Scranton address and choose a search radius up to five miles. The map view shows all registered sex offenders within that distance, including those working or attending school in the area. This works well near schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods throughout the city.

If you know an offender's name, the name search returns their current record directly. The Megan's Law FAQ page explains how to read search results and what information is available to the public. PSP cannot provide additional details beyond what the website shows.

Scranton and Pennsylvania Megan's Law

Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County and one of the largest cities in northeastern Pennsylvania. Known historically for its coal mining and railroad heritage, Scranton today is home to several universities including the University of Scranton and Marywood University. The city serves as a regional hub for northeastern Pennsylvania. Scranton Police Department handles Megan's Law enforcement within city limits, coordinating with PSP on registration compliance and community notification.

Scranton residents can contact the Scranton Police Department for information about Sexually Violent Predators who have registered addresses in their neighborhood.

Because Scranton has several colleges and universities, the 1,000-foot campus notification rule is particularly relevant. When a Sexually Violent Predator registers an address within 1,000 feet of the University of Scranton, Marywood University, or any other campus in the city, those institutions receive written notification. This protects the student community as well as surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Sex Offender Tiers in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania classifies registered sex offenders under a three-tier system for offenses committed on or after December 20, 2012. The tier determines both the length of registration and how often the offender must verify their information with PSP.

Tier I offenders register for 15 years and verify their information once per year. Tier II offenders register for 25 years with semi-annual verification. Tier III offenders carry lifetime registration and must verify quarterly in person. Sexually Violent Predators also register for life and verify quarterly, but they additionally trigger active community notification when they register a new address. The PSP registration page lists the offenses that fall under each tier.

Offenders convicted before December 20, 2012 are governed by older rules and are classified as ten-year or lifetime registrants. Both verify annually. Transient offenders with no fixed address must verify monthly. This applies to Scranton offenders staying in temporary housing or shelters. Any offender who moves into Scranton from another state must register with PSP within three business days.

Note: Time served in prison does not count toward completing a 15-year or 25-year registration period.

Scranton Law Enforcement and Megan's Law

The Pennsylvania State Police take the lead role in maintaining the sex offender registry and operating approved registration and verification sites in Lackawanna County. The PSP Megan's Law Section handles non-compliance investigations statewide. The Scranton Police Department assists with enforcement within city limits, including address verification checks and distribution of SVP community notification flyers.

Lackawanna County has approved PSP registration and verification sites where all Scranton area offenders must appear in person for registrations, verifications, and change reports.

When a Sexually Violent Predator registers an address in Scranton, PSP provides notification flyers to the Scranton Police Department. The department then distributes flyers to all neighbors within 250 feet of the SVP's address, or the 25 nearest residences, whichever covers more people. Every school within one mile receives written notice. Licensed childcare centers and daycares are included.

Sex Offender Registration Requirements in Scranton

Every registered sex offender living or working in Scranton must notify PSP within three business days of any change to their personal information. This covers changes to home address, employer, phone numbers, vehicles, email accounts, social media identifiers, and professional licenses. All notifications must be made in person at an approved PSP registration site in Lackawanna County. No updates can be made by phone or mail.

Scranton residents can review the PSP registration requirements page to understand what obligations apply to offenders living or working in their neighborhoods.

International travel requires 21 days advance notice for offenders convicted of offenses on or after December 20, 2012. They must appear at an approved PSP site before leaving and provide complete travel details including dates, destinations, and lodging. This requirement applies to all Scranton offenders covered by the current tier system.

Community Notification in Scranton

Active community notification in Scranton applies only when a Sexually Violent Predator or Sexually Violent Delinquent Child registers an address in the city. When that happens, PSP contacts the Scranton Police Department, which then distributes written notification flyers to the surrounding community.

Flyers go to all neighbors within 250 feet of the SVP's address, or the 25 nearest residences, whichever covers more households. Every school within one mile receives written notice. Licensed childcare centers and daycares are included. Any college or university within 1,000 feet of the address also receives notification. The director of Lackawanna County's children and youth services agency is always notified when an SVP registers in the Scranton area.

For Tier I and Tier II offenders, there is no automatic neighborhood notification. The public registry is the primary tool residents should use to monitor non-SVP offenders. Sign up for free email alerts at the Megan's Law website under Community Tools. Create an account, add up to five addresses, and receive a daily email whenever a registered sex offender moves within five miles of any address you are tracking.

Reporting Non-Compliance in Scranton

If you believe a registered sex offender in Scranton is not meeting their reporting requirements, report it right away. Call the PSP Megan's Law Section at 1-866-771-3170, contact the Scranton Police Department directly, or submit a tip through the online form on the Megan's Law website. The tip line operates around the clock.

Non-compliance includes living at an address different from the one on file, missing a scheduled verification appointment, or failing to report a new job within three business days. Each failure is a separate criminal offense under Pennsylvania law.

Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3130, providing false information to law enforcement, concealing an offender's location, or helping a non-compliant offender avoid registration requirements is a felony of the third degree. This applies to anyone in Scranton who takes such actions. Victims of sex offenses can contact the Office of Victim Advocate at 1-800-563-6399 for information on victim notification rights.

Note: Reporting non-compliance is one of the most effective ways Scranton residents can help keep the registry accurate and their community safe.

Related Pages

Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County. Use the link below to search the full county registry, or check nearby cities.

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