County Supervisors OK Opposition To SVP Placements In Communities

SAN DIEGO, CA — The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday formally logged its objection to the planned placement of a sexually violent predator in Borrego Springs, and to opposing the release of such offenders in communities.

Recommendations brought forth by Supervisor Jim Desmond included sending a letter to Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers and the California Department of State Hospitals director "detailing the county's opposition and concerns about the placement of John Phillips in Borrego Springs."

Supervisors also directed Ebony Shelton, chief administrative officer, to have the county formally support legislation "that would modify the conditional release program for sexually violent predators to place participants in state-run transitional housing rather than community-based supervision," according to the proposal.

On Aug. 24, state hospital officials recommended placing Phillips into a home at 1619 Zuni Trail in the rural community, according to a statement from the county Sheriff's Office.

Phillips, who was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts on a child and sexual battery, is classified as a sexually violent predator, a designation for those convicted of sexually violent offenses and diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes a person likely to re-offend.

After serving their prison sentences, SVPs undergo treatment at state hospitals, but may also petition courts to continue treatment in outpatient locations, where they are monitored via GPS, among other measures.

While residents of regions where SVP placements have been proposed have largely opposed those placements, Liberty Healthcare, which operates the state's conditional release program for sexually violent predators, has said no SVPs have re-offended in the history of the program.

"We already have seven sexually violent predators in the Back Country," Desmond said before the vote Tuesday.

He added that another SVP who molested multiple children is living at the Zuni Place location.

Desmond said Borrego Springs and Jacumba are both disadvantaged, rural communities, and bear a heavy burden for having SVPs living there.

County law enforcement presence is spread thin in the region as it is, the District 5 supervisor said. He urged residents to make their voices heard on the placement during an upcoming hearing.

"I believe we need to put an end to these community/neighborhood based placements," Desmond said. "Our residents should not have to live in fear of them."

Several residents supported cracking down on SVP placements.

Ann Riddle said moving such violent predators to the unincorporated region "highlights how we are treated with disrespect and disregard when it comes to decisions."

Residents who wish to weigh in on the proposed placement may do so at a court hearing next month, during which members of the public are typically allowed to make comments to the court regarding the suitability of the placement.

That hearing will be held on Sept. 24 at the San Diego Central Courthouse before Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers.

Public comments may also be submitted until Sept. 7 to the SAFE Task Force, a regional law enforcement team that monitors and enforces sex offender registration laws in the county.

Comments can be submitted via email to sdsafe@sdsheriff.org; by calling 858-583-7238; or by mailing a statement to SVP Release/SAFE Task Force, 9425 Chesapeake Drive, San Diego, 92123.

— City News Service