\u201cSome very, very happy people,\u201d the resident said.<\/p>\n
The resident said a Corrections officer began informing residents about the offender two weeks ago. <\/p>\n
Before the final decision was made, she said the revelation had left multiple people on the street both angry and anxious about what it would mean for their children. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been a lot of anger and outrage and a lot of tears,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of children who play in the cul-de-sac. Kids are allowed to ride their bikes up and down the street. We have a swing out on the street.\u201d <\/p>\n
She said Corrections told her they couldn\u2019t give out information about the person, for privacy reasons. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey have been handing out pamphlets to tell everyone we have got to now change the way we go about our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman said Corrections recommended parents talk to their children about being safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were quite rude to some people just to the point where they said \u2018We can\u2019t tell you how to parent, but you need to have a talk with your children\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Residents of a Hamilton East street were upset after a convicted child sex offender was set to be released into their neighbourhood. Photo \/ 123RF<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we feel we have to watch the children like hawks. We can\u2019t just let them walk to the dairy any more. We don\u2019t know what level of offender this is.\u201d <\/p>\n
The woman said she wanted to know if Corrections did full checks on the neighbourhoods before deciding to place a sex offender. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs it just a convenience for them because someone has put their hand up to say this person can come and live with us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
When residents were initially informed, she said it felt like they didn\u2019t have any rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been told this is happening and we can\u2019t change it. Instead, we should change the way our children play.\u201d <\/p>\n
Final decision <\/p>\n
Corrections director for communities, partnerships and pathways Lynette Cave said the decision has been made that the previously approved address in Hamilton East will not be used.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing careful consideration of a range of factors including community feedback … we will continue to monitor and manage this offender extremely closely. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe has been compliant with all of his conditions since he was released at the end of his prison sentence at the direction of the courts,\u201d Cave said. <\/p>\n
Cave said before the final decision was made, 52 residences, schools and early childhood centres in the area were notified via letter drop.<\/p>\n
The letter notified the residents that a person with convictions for sexual offending against children would be residing in the area, Cave said. <\/p>\n
Residents were also provided with a pamphlet with information on how Corrections safely manages offenders in the community, and contact details for a staff member who can assist with any questions or concerns. <\/p>\n
Prior to approving an address, Cave said the department assesses its suitability by looking at a range of factors, including the location of victims. <\/p>\n
\u201cPublic safety is our top priority,\u201d Cave said. <\/p>\n
Cave said Corrections managed people at the direction of the courts and the New Zealand Parole Board and did not determine who was in prison and who was in the community. <\/p>\n
The courts and the NZ Parole Board also determined what conditions they were subject to, including any requirements to not go near schools or other places children were likely to frequent.<\/p>\n
Approximately 15,000 people are required to be released from prison each year, and a further 26,000 are managed on community-based sentences. <\/p>\n
Cave said the department was committed to doing everything it could to ensure each person was safely reintegrated into the community.<\/p>\n
The reality was that without a place to live in the community, people could be homeless, which would present an unacceptable safety risk to communities, Cave said. <\/p>\n