Guest editorial by San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe
In late 2019 I was notified by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office about the proposed release and placement of a convicted rapist and child molester in the desert community of Joshua Tree. The offender, who was classified as a sexually violent predator by the state, was ordered by a Ventura County judge to be released into San Bernardino County despite never living nor committing his crimes in this county.
Unsurprisingly, the proposed release of this predator created a groundswell of opposition from local residents and elected officials, including myself. After a community meeting was held with hundreds in attendance, we launched a letter-writing campaign to make the court aware of our concerns. I even travelled to Ventura County to testify on behalf of my constituents during the hearing that would ultimately determine his fate. After listening to testimony and reading the letters submitted by the public, the judge ruled against placement in Joshua Tree. It was refreshing to see sanity prevail when it seemed like the odds were stacked against us.