There are 40 convicted sex offenders living in the 19104 ZIP code, according to an Internet database recently overhauled by the state.
Though the site has been online for less than a week, it has already seen more than 250,000 visitors.
For the first time, residents will be able to search online for sex offenders living in their community.
Previously, only information related to sexually violent predators -- those that a court finds likely to commit violent crime again -- had been digitally available.
There are only about 60 registered sexually violent predators in Pennsylvania, while there are more than 7,000 sex offenders, According to Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Jack Lewis.
"Until now, there was no way [for the public] to know about sex offenders," Lewis said.
The initial surge in viewers could be a response to the novelty of the site, he said. "We expect [the popularity] to drop off somewhat over time."
The Web site was created by the state police in response to a bill that Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law on Nov. 24 of last year. It is currently searchable most easily by zip codes.
Pennsylvania's "Megan's Law" -- requiring detailed reports of sex offenders' whereabouts in the state -- was strengthened by site.
Megan's Law derives its name from 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and murdered by her neighbor, a twice-convicted sex offender. Her family did not know of their neighbor's history.
The state and city governments have been quick to laud the ability of the updated Web site to increase public awareness.
"The mayor has always believed in protecting public safety and that protecting children and victims of sex abuse is incredibly important," said Dan Fee, spokesman for Philadelphia Mayor John Street.
But not everyone was excited about the new Web site.
Larry Frankel, the legislative director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, expressed some reservations about expanding the database.
"We think it is fraught with problems, which we are already hearing about, and [the database] may be counter-productive in protecting families and communities," Frankel said. "Some of it is just absurdity."
Michael Patterson, a College senior and president of Penn's ACLU chapter, was similarly concerned.
"There are some individuals that might use this information to target people in negative ways," Patterson said.
Many Penn students who grew up in Pennsylvania, however, seemed to agree that the Web site served a purpose for law-abiding citizens.
College freshman and Bryn Mawr native Aimee Gelinas said she believed that the database would enhance security.
"I think it's already been determined by the law, and I think it's a good think to keep neighborhoods safe," Gelinas said.
Wharton freshman Greg Ambrogi felt the same way.
"It's their fault that they did it in the first place," Ambrogi said of the sex offenders. "So I guess people should know who they're dealing with."
Even some international students felt strongly about the issue.
"I would want to know if it's safe around the area," said Wharton sophomore Venus Choi, who is from Hong Kong. "They served their sentence, but it doesn't remove what they've done in the past."
