CALIFORNIA, USA — Some communities in California are concerned about the possibility of sexually violent predators being released into their neighborhoods. ABC10 has followed this process for months. Senate Bill 1074 is attempting to address the safety issues and is now moving onto the next committee.
Erica Farmer is a mom of three young children in Turlock. She made it a point to fight for her family's safety during Tuesday's Assembly Public Safety Committee to show her support for SB-1074.
"We do have a lot of older folks in the neighborhood that they are vulnerable to. And so it's very scary," she said.
Introduced by Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego), the bipartisan bill would demand the Department of State Hospitals to take public safety into consideration when dealing with the release of a sexually violent predator (SVP).
"They have to sign off on these leases on these homes before the placement is approved," Jones said.
ABC10 has covered the potential release of Kevin Gray and Timothy Weathers into Stanislaus County and William Stephenson into Placer County. District Attorney Morgan Gire has been open about his opposition of the SVP's release.
"Give some responsibility back to the Department of State Hospitals and to give a little bit of peace of mind to the community," said Gire.
The area in Stanislaus County up for consideration is a little too close to home for Farmer.
"Less than 150 yards from my home, literally right next door," she said.
There was no discussion from anyone opposing the bill during Tuesday's hearing, but a representative with the ACLU California Action did show up to voice opposition. ABC10 has reached out for comment on why they oppose but have yet to hear back.
Regardless, the bill passed unanimously and is moving to the Committee on Appropriations.
"This is one more level of accountability, one more level of transparency, one more level that the taxpayers can take some rest in that the state's doing their job," Jones said.
ABC10 also reached out to the Department of State Hospitals for a comment but have yet to hear back.
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