"This is not about Freshwater or Eureka"

Even after Judge John Feeney denied the placement of sexually violent predator Joshua Cooley in Freshwater, there were some public comments.

Most speakers reiterated that Cooley should not be in any neighborhood and that it was not just about Freshwater, or Eureka.

Tom Cookman said that while Cooley is "not going to be in our neighborhood",  he would be in someone's neighborhood. There would be different people with the same concerns.

Dr. Richard McCutcheon was the first speaker. He was the first one to bring up that even though this placement would no longer affect Freshwater, "it is not about Howard Heights." Dr. McCutcheon said, "he is a high risk offender" and that it did not matter "whether it is in an urban area or rural area."

Alison Talbot said, "This community was shut out. We learned by luck, chance that this hearing was taking place."

Judge Feeney responded, "The notice to the community was belated but clearly the word got out."

Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson addressed concern about future notice to other communities. He pointed out that not every community may have the resources to galvanize such a response.

Many of concerns were  brought up by Nicole Riggs, a Freshwater resident, a mother, whose daughter participates in teen court. "Mr. Cooley has expressed no remorse, he violated parole more than 5 times."

Ms. Riggs said while she believes in restorative justice, "help has been there" but Cooley has not taken any responsibility.

Besides her comments in court today, there is a previous post outlining why she opposed this placement.

Previous post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-people-showed-up-to-speak-at.html?m=1