High Number Of Violent Parolees Live Downtown

Number of violent parolees living in one zip code

If you live in the 92101 zip code or anywhere near it, then you may be surprised by the number 64.

That's exactly how many "violent" parolees are living in halfway houses and rehabilitation centers in downtown San Diego.

NBCSanDiego contacted the state corrections department after breaking the story last week about Michael Moon, 63, a suspected serial killer who was paroled to a downtown-area halfway house in January.

Moon is a career criminal who murdered a man in Escondido, a woman in Reno, NV., and nearly stabbed to death a man in Illinois. 

Escondido Police detective Chuck Gaylor believes Moon has gotten away with other murders all across the country.

San Diego Downtown Residents Group President Gary Smith said the downtown area has become a dumping ground for violent parolees.

"Those are the ones that really concern us because you don't know when you will confront them on the street, and if their first recourse is for violence then you're immediately in danger," Smith said.

A spokesperson for the state corrections department said the parolees aren't forced to live downtown.

"Within the terms of their parole, the parolees choose where to live,"said Jeffrey Callison.

So, why are there so many violent parolees in downtown San Diego?

Callison couldn't give an exact reason because the answer would have to come from the parolees who choose to live there.

But Smith believes it's simply cheaper to house them downtown. 

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