A court-designated sexually violent predator could be placed in Los Gatos.
Last updated Sept. 25, 2026
The state has proposed a home in the Los Gatos community (Santa Cruz County) for the supervised release of Michael Cheek, a court-designated sexually violent predator. The Sheriff also opposes placement at this site, citing unreliable cell and GPS coverage, narrow roads that close, dense forest that would make a search hard, and schools, a Girl Scout camp, a church, and a park nearby.
His release was ordered in 2019. What the court is deciding now is where he lives, so letters are most effective when they explain why this site doesn't work.
Send your own letter
Write a few respectful sentences in your own words. Personal letters carry more weight than copied ones. Sign with your name and address, and send it ASAP, no later than Oct. 29. Comments must be received before Oct. 30 (Sheriff's release, Sept. 23, 2026).
- Who you are and where you live.
- Why this site doesn't work.
- Something you have seen yourself, like your cell service, the roads, or families nearby.
- Your request: please do not approve this placement.
The first is Supervisor Manu Koenig, whose district includes this site. End your letter with this line:
"Supervisor Koenig, please bring an item to the Board opposing this placement and send the County's letter to the Court before Oct. 30."
Letters sent to the Board are part of the public record and may be listed by name on a Board agenda.
Open a new email in:
Gmail lets you pick which Google account to send from. The address, CC, and subject are filled in; you write the letter.
Or mail
Send your letter to the DA's SVP Unit (email or mail), not to the judge or courthouse directly. Mailing? Send it right away so it arrives before Oct. 30, and email a copy to the two CC addresses above.
Share on social media
Share only these materials, and only on your own accounts. Don't add the property's address, photos of the property, or anyone's personal information. Tap a picture to download it.
Instagram: post all 3 together, in order
Facebook, Nextdoor, X, and Stories
Download story
Download wide post (Facebook, Nextdoor, X)
Facebook crops pictures when several are posted together, so use this single wide picture there.
Attend the hearing
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, 1:30 p.m.
Santa Cruz County Superior Court, Dept. 6, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, before the Hon. Nancy de la Peña.
Arrive 30 minutes early. In past hearings the public could attend but not speak, but a full room still gets noticed. Follow all courtroom rules and staff instructions. No signs, chanting, or demonstrations inside the courthouse. Confirm the date the week before with the DA's office: (831) 454-2400.
Speak at the Board of Supervisors
This site is in Supervisorial District 1 (Supervisor Manu Koenig), per the County's parcel records. The Board can formally oppose a placement and tell the Court, as the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz did for earlier proposed sites this year. Ask them to do the same.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 or Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, 9:00 a.m., during Public Comment near the start of the meeting.
Board Chambers, 701 Ocean St., Room 525, Santa Cruz, or join by Zoom or phone. The Zoom link and call-in number are on each agenda, posted the Thursday before at the Board's meeting portal.
- Who you are and where you live.
- Why this site doesn't work.
- Your request: "Please formally oppose this placement and send the County's letter to the Court before Oct. 30."
Same rules as your letter: respectful, factual, and about the site. Board members usually don't respond on the spot to Public Comment, and that's normal.
Can't make it? Email a written comment to BoardOfSupervisors@santacruzcountyca.gov by 5:00 p.m. the day before (Oct. 5 or Oct. 19).
The Sheriff's statement
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office media release, Sept. 23, 2026. It includes where to send comments and the deadline.
