Officials warn of Snapchat parties linked to attacks in PA

BEDFORD, Pa. (WTAJ) — Officials are warning of an emerging, and alarming, trend on social media.

As the name would suggest, Snapchat pop-up parties are quite literally popping up in Central Pennsylvania. They are organized within minutes and the location is shared right as the party is starting.

"Somebody is posting a site on their map saying, 'there's a party here' and people are just showing up and these are pretty much parties in the middle of nowhere," said Cathy Jamison, a Counselor Advocate for Your Safe Haven, a nonprofit that supports victims of crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault.

Jamison, and Yvonne Feight, another counselor advocate, said the parties are being used as a way for predators to physically and sexually assault kids, teens and even other adults. There