County supervisors vote against rural placements for sexually violent predators
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to oppose placing three sexually violent predators in rural communities. The board will send a letter to a Superior Court judge seeking to block two men from being released to a Boulevard residence and to prevent another from being placed in Borrego Springs. Supervisors also requested an update on another SVP who remains at large.
San Diego County supervisors acted unanimously to formally object to three sexually violent predator placements in rural areas. They plan to send a letter to Judge Theodore Weathers opposing Reynaldo Delrosario and Michael Poulsom's conditional release to a shared Boulevard address, and to ask that John Phillips not be housed in Borrego Springs.
The board also sought information from state hospitals and contractor Liberty Healthcare about locating Merle Wakefield, who authorities said removed his GPS monitor in late September and left conditional release. A hearing on the Boulevard placements is scheduled for Oct. 15, when public comments will be heard.
The decision may intensify scrutiny of how state-selected placements affect rural residents, who could feel their safety concerns are being weighed against legal release requirements. It may also shape trust in county officials and state agencies, especially if residents perceive limited input. For people under conditional release, added opposition could delay housing or prompt stricter monitoring, while nearby communities may seek clearer notification and enforcement. The outcome could influence similar disputes elsewhere in California.