The TV show To Catch a Predator was a hidden-camera investigative series that aimed to catch individuals attempting to engage in sexual activities with minors via the internet. It was produced by Dateline NBC and aired from 2004 to 2007. The show used decoys-adults posing as underage teens in online chat rooms-to lure potential predators to a sting house, where the suspects were confronted on camera by host Chris Hansen and then handed over to law enforcement for arrest
How To Catch a Predator Operations Worked
- Online Decoys: Volunteers from the group Perverted-Justice posed as minors in chat rooms and engaged in conversations with suspects, arranging meetings.
- Sting House: Suspects who agreed to meet were invited to a house rigged with hidden cameras.
- Confrontation: When suspects arrived, Chris Hansen confronted them on camera, showing chat transcripts and asking questions.
- Law Enforcement: Police officers were often on-site or nearby to arrest the suspects immediately after the confrontation.
- Arrests and Charges: Suspects were typically charged with solicitation of a minor or related offenses. Some were arrested dramatically with Tasers or physical restraint if they resisted
Impact and Controversy
- The show was credited with deterring some predators in certain areas, as local police noted a decline in such activity after sting operations
- However, it faced criticism and legal challenges over entrapment tactics and the ethics of public shaming.
- The series ended in 2008 after several years of production and controversy
Summary
To catch a predator, the method involves:
- Using undercover decoys to engage suspects online.
- Arranging a physical meeting at a controlled location.
- Confronting suspects on camera.
- Coordinating with law enforcement to arrest the suspects.
This approach was popularized and dramatized by the To Catch a Predator show but is also used in real law enforcement operations targeting online child predators
