There is a disturbing trend coming from the state in picking East County as the dumping ground for sexually violent predators (SVP) and pedophiles into our communities. And the problem is getting worse, despite the constant outcry from citizens to keep these criminals away from our children and families.
There is a disturbing trend coming from the state in picking East County as the dumping ground for sexually violent predators (SVP) and pedophiles into our communities. And the problem is getting worse, despite the constant outcry from citizens to keep these criminals away from our children and families.
Last week, state hospital officials proposed to place Terry Stone, convicted three times for committing sexual acts with children 6 to 11-years-old. Sentenced to state prison for 19 years in 1994, but after nine years, thanks to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office he was placed in a state hospital as an SVP in 2003 instead of release.
Now, the state is considering placing him at 2919 Millar Ranch Road, directly across from a licensed daycare home facility and two miles away from Steele Canyon High School. This is as atrocious as his crimes and another slap in the face of the citizens of Spring Valley that live in this vicinity.
County Supervisor Dianne Jacob is on the frontline of attempting to stop this trend and her recommendation is to place SVPs on property close to the Donovan State Prison. This solution is more than reasonable for all parties involved.
As much as I talk about how our prison system is crippling our economy, it is these types of criminals that our prisons were created for—keeping violent criminals away from the public.
I have no tolerance for sexual predators and pedophiles and believe that those convicted of these horrific crimes should receive maximum sentences with no option for early parole. In addition, when released, they need to be as far away from our children and schools as possible.
At the same time, a Santee firearms instructor pleaded guilty to molesting four young boys under the age of 18 and a misdemeanor of sexual battery. Tony Lee Burleson is expected to get a two year and eight month sentence to state prison. He faced a six-year sentence. The art of plea bargaining is amazing. He should receive full sentencing for each crime, and then perhaps in about 24 years, he will be too old to harm our children.
The state hospitals and prison system is not on board with keeping our neighborhoods safe and the only way to change that is with massive protest.
People that live in the East County do so because they like the lifestyle and in many cases choose the more rural areas to get away from the cities and large suburbs. They do so with the understanding of the dangers of wildfires, the natural wildlife that habitats the area and make the conscience choice to deal with these obstacles. However, I doubt that there are any that signed off on having SVPs moving into their neighborhoods. And they should not have to.
I join Jacob and the citizens that are outraged by these seemingly constant battles to keep predators out of our neighborhoods. But this is not something that she can do alone.
On March 17, a Superior Court judge will consider the case of Stone and it is up to us to let that judge know that this is unacceptable now and in the future.
Unless we want East County to become the SVP trash dump, a large collective voice from all over our neighborhoods, not just Spring Valley needs to join in protest. To do so before the hearing date, here is how to let the judge know that East County residents are unwilling to become the permanent home for SVPs.
Send an email with your concerns to sdsafe@sdsheriff.org.
Call SAFE at (858) 495-3619 or mail a letter to SVP Release/SAFE Task Force, 9425 Chesapeake Drive, San Diego, CA 92123.
Make a difference and keep our neighborhoods and children safe.
On Feb. 20 the San Diego District Attorney's Office released this statement:
On February 20, 2014, the Department of State Hospitals formally rescinded their proposal to house Mr. Stone at 2919 Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley. As such the court hearing previously set for March 17, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.to take public comment on the suitability of that location is no longer necessary and has been vacated by the court.
Updates regarding any future hearing dates on this case can be obtained at the San Diego County District Attorney’s website: http://www.sdcda.org/protecting/sex-offenders.php and also at the Department of State Hospital’s website http://www.dsh.ca.gov/forensic. Information on the SAFE Task Force can be obtained at sdsafe.org
