Michael Cheek: Worries misplaced over placement

Everyone from Bonny Doon residents to Sheriff Hart need to chill over Michael Cheek’s imminent placement in their community. Yes, he’s a deplorable human being but he served his time and apparently got high marks for his extensive rehabilitation. Second, Liberty Healthcare provides round the clock on-site monitoring as described in their career posting for the Santa Cruz position: “Provide in-person one-on-one observation and monitoring of client movement and behavior. Ensure client’s compliance with court-mandated terms of release” Third, it’s our Megan and Jessica laws that force these folks into rural areas because of the 2,000-foot rule from parks, schools and churches. Fourth, recidivism under Liberty’s watch is extremely rare based on third party statistics.

And please Sheriff Hart, shelve your platitudes about your opposition to releasing Cheek to Bonny Doon when you daily release proven repeat criminals into our community to reoffend.

Worry about the next fire season, Bonny Doon.

— Conchita Ponce, Santa Cruz