Supervisor Joel Anderson has learned of several inexcusable and irresponsible weaknesses in the County’s current policies for the notification and placement processes for sex offenders and Sexually Violent Offenders (SVPs). As a result, Anderson will introduce a directive during the San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ meeting next week instructing the San Diego County Counsel and the Chief Administrative Officer to fully investigate the issue and report back with actions that can be taken to improve the processes and procedures used in notifying the public on proposed placements and living situations for sex offenders.
“67% of all Sexually Violent Predators in San Diego County are in my district,” said Anderson. “There are currently plans to place three more SVPs in District 2 in the near future, which will push that total to over 70%. This is the very definition of dumping. When I asked simple questions to better understand the process and determine the roles and authority that various County agencies and organizations have in these matters, I was shocked to receive inaccurate and contradictory information. This ends now. The appropriate placement of these dangerous individuals demands our full and immediate attention. When simple questions cannot be answered on such an important matter, the consequences are dangerous for the safety of our citizens, particularly our children. It is simply irresponsible to allow this situation to continue and I urge my colleagues to help me obtain the information necessary to make the changes that will protect our communities.”
Weaknesses in the current process include:
- No requirement for local law enforcement to be notified until 10 days after a sex offender moves into a residence.
- Lack of clarity as to the role and responsibilities of the County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force.
- Contradictory information from the County District Attorney regarding the roles and responsibilities relative to a housing search committee.
- Inactivity of the San Diego Sex Offender Management Council (SOMC) since 2019.
- Lack of public information regarding SOMC actions and meetings.
- Lack of inter-communication between governmental departments, agencies, and law enforcement task forces.
Anderson’s measure, if passed, would direct County Counsel and the Chief Administrative Officer to review numerous facts and questions that have been raised, and other related issues, and determine what improvements can be made to the current processes and procedures to improve public notification surrounding the placement and residency of sex offenders.
Background Information
Anderson held a press conference earlier this week with concerned parents and community leaders to highlight the inefficiencies in the current process.
Photos Courtesy of Rich Freye
As indicated in the chart below, 31% of all sexual offenders released in San Diego County are in District 2. By contrast, East County has more than four times as many sex offenders as District 3.
The possible placement of additional Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs) in El Cajon is compounded by the recent discovery of a group residence, located just a few miles from the proposed location, where 10 registered sexual offenders were living illegally in the same house. The chart below illustrates the number of sex offenders in the same general vicinity of El Cajon.
