State authorities demand lifting of sex offender detention facility in Poway

State authorities have withdrawn their request to house a man classified as a sexually violent offender in a Poway neighborhood, according to the San Diego Sheriff Department.

The California Department of State Hospitals said it was prevented from releasing specific information about current or former patients of the Department of State Hospitals due to patient privacy laws. It had no comment on the decision.

Families and elected officials rallied Friday against the shelter-in-place order at Garden Road Park in Poway, about two miles from the man’s planned home.

Local resident Jessie Omamogho said he was concerned for his daughter’s safety.

“This is a serious matter,” he said. “When you bring someone with such a bad reputation into one of the most peaceful areas I’ve ever lived in, our voices definitely need to be heard.”

Poway Mayor Steve Vaus organized Friday’s rally, and volunteer attorneys have also volunteered to represent Poway residents and advocate for an end to the shelter-in-place order.

Vaus called the state’s decision to lift the detention a victory.

“What we thought was a protest is a celebration,” said Vaus.

A person is classified as a sexually violent offender if he or she has committed at least one sexually violent robbery offense and has been diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes him or her likely to reoffend. The Department of State Hospitals employs experts to determine whether an incarcerated person meets these criteria.

There are currently 14 people on parole in San Diego County who have been classified by the court as sexually violent offenders. Three of them live in the Jacumba Hot Springs community under Megan’s Law. Database.

Jacumba resident Tanya Wilkins opposed the recent placement of two men identified as sexually violent offenders in her community. She said she wished her community had the resources to undertake a similar action to the one in Poway.

“Nothing was discussed up here, nothing,” Wilkins said. “We don’t have a city council. We don’t have anything like that. We’re too small to have a body that monitors or informs people.”

Wilkins said she was happy for the residents of Poway and that the ranking had been reversed.

“We should be able to put up big signs all over town like the other places do, because that’s what we would do,” Wilkins said. “Nobody has offered services because we don’t have those types of people up here.”

Communities across the country, such as Rancho Bernardo And Helix Mountainhave successfully fought against these placements in recent years. The placements are the last step in a five-stage treatment plan for people who are classified as sexually violent offenders, according to the San Diego County Public prosecutor.

The state’s conditional release program reviews residences before determining placement. These reviews take into account Jessica’s Law and other residency restrictions, including proximity to schools and parks. The process includes a 30-day public hearing period.

The Department of State Hospitals contracts with Liberty Healthcare to provide conditional release services. They are required to have a housing safety plan that includes supervision and GPS monitoring. As of June, they stated that no one under conditional release had committed a sex offense.

KPBS reached out to Liberty Healthcare and the Department of State Hospitals to learn more about the conditional release program and placement, but they declined interviews.

Nancy Astifo, the public defender for the man who was recommended for placement in Poway, said in an email that he would be eligible for conditional release even if the placement is revoked. This would be the third time the man has been revoked from placement in Poway.

It is unclear where he will be placed next. His next hearing is scheduled for August 9.