SAN DIEGO — A sexually violent predator will not be moving into Poway, according to Poway Mayor Steve Vaus.
Vaus made the announcement Friday morning at Garden Road Park, where approximately 200 people from the community had gathered to rally against the placement of SVP 67-year-old Merle Wakefield in their community.
"I received confirmation that the State Department of Public Health is withdrawing the proposed placement," he announced as the crowd erupted in cheers.
The rally then turned into a celebration. People were hugging. Some got emotional.
Mayor Vaus told CBS 8 he has been working around the clock, making calls, putting pressure on people, to stop the placement of Wakefield at a home located at the 15000 block of Sycamore Canyon Road.
Wakefield was convicted of sex crimes back in 1981 and 1990, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. He was diagnosed with a mental health disorder that made him likely to re-offend.
CBS 8 reached out to the California Department of State Hospitals to find out what happens next. A spokesperson released the following statement:
DSH is committed to providing effective treatment in a safe environment, in a fiscally responsible manner and to assuring public safety.
Federal and state patient privacy laws prevent DSH from releasing specific information about any current or former DSH patients.
CBS 8 also reached out to the San Diego District Attorney's Office. A spokesperson told us at a hearing Friday afternoon, Liberty Healthcare requested to withdraw from the proposed Poway site. Wakefield's August 9th court hearing remains on the schedule, but will no longer be a public hearing. It is now a housing search status.
WATCH RELATED: Poway could soon become home for a sexually-violent predator