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Community Protests Over Release Of Sex Offender

Hedge To Be Placed Near High School

POSTED: 8:13 am PST November 3, 2005
UPDATED: 6:06 pm PST November 3, 2005

Matthew Hedge is set to move into a trailer on the property of Donovan State Prison, but neighbors and community activists are trying one last time to stop it, 10News reported.

The protestors want to make enough of a stand that a judge will reverse his ruling and keep Hedge in custody.

Hedge's new home will be a trailer with air conditioning and a leather chair set up on the grounds. The only fence around him will be a 6-foot chain link fence that he can open at will.

"I'm gonna be the safest man in San Diego. All eyes will be on me -- at least for awhile," Hedge said.

A judge ruled Hedge must be released from custody after serving his time and getting treatment for molesting several children younger than 14. Protestors say he's not welcome in the area.

"This guy he just wants out. What I'd tell the judge, 'If you think he's so safe, then you take him home,'" said 79th District Assemblyman Juan Vargas.

Vargas toured the trailer and said it's better than the living conditions for some of the people in his district. He said the community needs to fight before Otay Mesa becomes a predator's colony.

"There's only one appropriate place for these people, in a prison or a mental institution, but not out here where you have all these kids," Vargas said.

"I would have a GPS monitor on my ankle and told not to go certain areas -- like schools," Hedge said.

Hedge's trailor will be 6.5 miles from the nearest school, 4.5 to the nearest home and three miles from the border. But for people who live in the area, having him anywhere outside an insitution is too close for comfort.

"I think he needs to go to a mental institution. He is a repeat offender -- prison didn't correct him. He needs mental help," San Ysidro resident Diana Jurado-Sainz said.

Hedge also told 10News he thinks the politicians are just tyring to stir up people and make them angry.

He said he can assure the community he's going to follow the rules and be a law abiding citizen after eight years in therapy.

The first thing he'd like to do when he gets out is visit with his wife.


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