Proposed Placement of Sexually Violent Predator Raises Concern by Local Neighbors

Alex Gardner addresses a crowd of neighbors and concerned citizens regarding the possible placement in the neighborhood of a sexually violent predator.
Photos by Mary O’KEEFE

By Mary O’KEEFE

On Friday, May 28, the CVW was sent a press release from Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office concerning the “potential release of a sexually violent predator into Crescenta Valley community.”

The release stated: “I am disgusted and gravely concerned that the Los Angeles Superior Court is considering the placement of sexually violent predator Calvin Grassmier into La Crescenta. The Crescenta Valley community cannot be an option. I urge our residents to join me in strongly and vocally opposing this outrageous proposal and dissuading the judge from permitting this dangerous person from residing in our safe, family-oriented neighborhood.”

The proposed address for the placement of this sexually violent predator is 5632 Freeman Ave. in the Briggs Terrace area. This is slightly over one mile from two elementary schools and Rosemont Middle School. It is 1.1 miles from Two Strike Park.

The press release was shared on social media and the response was immediate. Crescenta Valley Town Council was called into a special meeting where the council voted to create a letter of opposition to the proposed move, which was sent to both Barger’s office and the office of Deputy District Attorney Jay S. Grobeson. One of the Briggs Terrace neighbors posted an articulate explanation of why this location is the wrong place to move a sexually violent predator, and what the community can do to oppose this proposal.

“I am not an advocate,” said Alex Gardner, the neighbor who wrote the post. “I just posted something on Facebook and now I have a microphone.”

He, along with his wife and fellow neighbors, worked fast creating fliers and sharing information on what they found out about Grassmier. They organized a community meeting that was held in the neighborhood on Tuesday.

Grassmier has a long list of violent sexual crimes, including an assault against a minor under 14 years old. He was convicted in 1989 and for decades has been in a state hospital.

“A ‘sexually violent predator’ means a person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense against one or more victims and who has a diagnosed mental disorder that makes the person a danger to the health and safety of others in that it is likely that he or she will engage in sexually violent criminal behavior,” according to the state of California definition.

“I want us to be more than angry. Anger is something that everybody feels when a sexual predator is put into their neighborhood. What we need to be is constructive and focused. We need to explain to the judge why this is not the community to place an individual like this,” Gardner said. “This a community that has more children than houses, this is a community that does not have street access to the rest of La Crescenta, this is a street where if you are a family and you want to go for a walk you have a choice of two streets and now one of them [could] soon have a predator.”

The Briggs Terrace area has one way in and out; it is considered to be in an area at an extreme high risk for wildfire; there are no street lights; cellphone service is almost non existent and power outages are typical.

The home where the sexually violent predator is proposed to live is actually nestled into the neighborhood. Its new owners purchased the home three months ago and had attempted to rent the residence, but apparently had no success.

Gardner said that he is a reluctant advocate but will accept that responsibility if that is what it takes to make sure this proposal is stopped, and that precautions are put in place so this risk does not occur again.

“[We need] to send a clear message to the investor that purchased this house three months ago that this will not be tolerated in our community, and don’t try to come back again with another predator,” Gardner said. “If this is your profit model, stay away – this is not the place for you.”

CVW attempted several times to call the owner without success. However, some neighbors have been able to reach the owners and have offered to help the owner find a more suitable renter. It is not known if the owner will accept these offers.

The neighbors are continuing to move their plans forward, which include fundraising for lawn signs and fliers as well as hiring legal counsel – not to file a lawsuit but to make certain the neighbors understand all of their rights.

Crescenta Valley Town Council President Harry Leon spoke at Tuesday’s meeting. He made it clear that this is a concern not just for the Briggs Terrace area, but for all of Crescenta Valley.

“It doesn’t matter whether you live east or west of Pennsylvania Avenue, east or west of Ocean View [Boulevard], or above or below Foothill [Boulevard],” he said.

Neighbors and others concerned about the possible placement of a sexually violent predator in the area sign a petition protesting the proposal.

The neighbors are asking people to sign a petition at change.org, which can be found at http://chng.it/yGDPznqFSm.

It is advised that letters are written that are specific as to why this location is not a suitable place for a sexually violent predator. Letters should be sent to Deputy D.A. Jay S. Grobeson at jgrobeso@da.lacounty.gov.

The LA County District Attorney’s Office responded that it had no comment at this time when CVW requested an interview.

Letters protesting the prospective placement have already been sent by hundreds of residents, as well as elected officials and community leaders, including CVTC, State Senator Anthony Portantino, Glendale Unified School District, the CV Chamber of Commerce and Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

LA County Sheriff’s Dept./Crescenta Valley Station has contacted the DA, sharing its opposition to this proposed move.

“We are very concerned with the purposed placement of [the sexually violent predator],” said Lt. Holwager of the CV Sheriff Station. “Based on the SVP, his crimes and the amount of supervision he would require, coupled with the neighborhood, it is not conducive to a successful rehabilitation and puts that neighborhood in danger.”

There will be a protest to the proposed placement at the intersection of Briggs Avenue and Foothill Boulevard on Saturday, June 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.