ALPINE, Calif. (KGTV) - Neighbors are fearful and outraged at the idea a sexual predator could move in next door after running into a detective investigating the neighborhood.
Tucked away in Alpine Heights is a quiet sprawling neighborhood with multiple cul-de-sacs.
"Most people don't even know we're here," three decade resident Gerry Brewster said.
David Csik and his wife Katie moved in two years ago and describe the area as a kid's dream, filled with block parties, and get-togethers around the BBQ or the pool. They have two kids, a toddler son, and 6-month old baby girl.
"We moved to Alpine for the community and to send our children to the schools out here; it's all we've ever wanted," Katie said.
December 14th, they say a neighbor approached someone walking around a vacant property next door and found out she was an investigator for the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force (SAFE).
"They're writing what they call a factual site assessment which they submit to the courts and they're looking to place a sexually violent predator right down the street," David said they were shocked. Katie was ready to get going, "my initial thought was we have to move."
The neighborhood jumped into action, writing stacks of concerned letters to their representatives and investigators with the SAFE Task Force.
Supervisor Dianne Jacob responded to their emails, saying in part, "At this time, the County has not been made aware of any recommendation to place a SVP at this location. When a SVP is being proposed for conditional release from a state hospital, a public notification is provided by law enforcement and a court hearing takes place before a SVP is placed in the community. I have consistently stood with the community in opposition and will continue to oppose the release of any SVP into our neighborhoods."
She said in the email she also contacted the Attorney General and is waiting to hear back.
The neighbors did not wait. They created a map showing dozens of children who either live in the vicinity or visit their grandparents daily. After sending the letters, and after SAFE conducted their investigation, the District Attorney did not take this address to court as a possibility for a reformed sexual predator.
It was a relief to parents. "I would never have slept at night knowing someone like that was around here," Katie said.
While this particular case was thrown out, neighbors want a secure future.
"What we want to see is this property off the map out of their database," David said.
The San Diego District Attorney's website says, "The Department of State Hospitals reviews all possible housing locations within the county and recommends a specific placement to the court." The department states, "Staff examines existing searches for properties that were previously identified. Such information is used only as a starting point. Staff uses many resources to find potential properties for rent including review of newspaper and Craigslist advertisements; visiting local real estate offices and even, driving through neighborhoods in search of "For Rent" signs."
10News reached out to the department to see if this house has been removed from the database or how that could happen, and they said they would get back to us Friday.
