A closer look at the 607 Predator Hunters
(WENY)-- A group made up of three men from the Binghamton area has been in many headlines recently. They did not want to be identified so we don't know their names but they have families, they're fathers and they have full-time jobs. They call themselves the 607 Predator Hunters.
"These guys weren't getting off the street they weren't getting convicted and that's why we decided to do what we do," they said.
607 Predator Hunters say their organization sets up decoys on various social media websites and then interact with people who are looking to meet underage children in the 607 area.
After a week or two of online interaction with the person, the group discusses what happens.
"They usually divulge sexual information and we plan to meet with them and we show up and they run into us and we record them and we expose them to our community," the group explained.
They also break down how they coordinate a meet-up with the person and explain it first starts with an exchange of pictures.
"Through the website, there's usually an exchange of pictures sometimes names, sometimes phone numbers, sometimes even real names so we get information that helps us to identify them when they do show up sometimes like the clothes they are wearing or what time they are going to be there the location," they said.
607 Predator Hunters say they have been doing this for about a year and have caught nearly forty people. In their latest catch involving a public figure from Elmira, they were quite shocked.
"We were definitely surprised on who we got that he came through with it and that someone in the face of everyone's eyes could do something like that," they said.
The group expressed that doing what they do comes with challenges and they added they would like to see police catch more alleged predators.
"But unfortunately that is not the case and the number of guys we are catching and as fast as we are catching them it's a very good thing," they said.
It is important to mention, that groups like these have been popping up all over the country. However many police agencies and DA's in several states have come out to say that they do not condone the actions of these groups and it's for their safety and the safety of bystanders. Things could spiral out of control once a suspect is cornered in a public place and also there are some legal challenges as well.
WENY News spoke to one local agency who says these types of stings when police are not involved result in evidence that is not admissible in the courtroom.

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