2nd community meeting for sexually violent predator placement scheduled Tuesday

The Placer community will have its second opportunity Tuesday to provide input on the release of William Robert Stephenson, a 66-year-old sexually violent predator who was granted conditional transient release into the county on July 17. The meeting will occur from 9 a.m-11 a.m. at the Community Development Resource Building, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. The agenda also notes the meeting will be accessible via videoconference at ca-dsh.webex.com/cadsh/j.php?MTID=mee50f66a457812de2b76cd7120414fd4 or by calling 408-418-9388, conference ID 2490 876 6271. The Placer County District Attorney's and Placer County Sheriff's offices confirmed the meeting will also be accessible on their Facebook pages. According to the meeting agenda, the meeting will begin with an overview provided by the Housing Committee followed by the public comment period. Two minutes will be allotted during the public comment period for each speaker and it is possible less time may be allotted due to the number of individuals and business of the committee. Placer residents can also provide written comments between Oct. 16 and midnight Oct. 18 at forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pjZ1gLGmk0igE3BQnFnru-EZNjjywutCgPGiCdPIZbdUN1JSVE5FSlZUTkNVUEc0MFFKQ1lWSjNZMS4u. The agenda notes submitted written comments do not need to be repeated orally at the meeting. Public comment will not be accepted through the Facebook streams. Following public comment, the Housing Committee is slated to go into closed session. Tuesday's meeting is in contrast to the Aug. 21 community meeting, which began with a closed session. During that first meeting, every resident spoke in opposition to Stephenson's release into Placer County and expressed umbrage to state officials' remote attendance from Sacramento and cross-talk that occurred during the livestream. The DA's Office confirmed Thursday the state acted on its requests to increase meeting access and move the closed session to the end of the meeting. "... We also hope they have considered our request for them to personally attend housing meetings in the future," the DA's Office said. The DA's Office previously reported Judge Garen Horst requested the Department of State Hospitals and Liberty Healthcare conduct a check-in for their search before the next review hearing. According to the DA's Office, the next hearing is scheduled Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. in Department 30 of Placer County Superior Court in Roseville and is open to the public. The hearing will be for Horst to review progress made by Liberty in vetting possible placement locations for Stephenson and no action will be taken. Placer residents can sign up for case updates at placer.ca.gov/SVP and can learn more about the case at placer.ca.gov/9217/Case-information-SVP-SCV-37867-William-S?fbclid=IwAR3RLhzccSBNcCWAVfba8MDRkOaqHHTnWtKW9EB59xyGx1QFHxy7ya4I-6M.