But this is the situation Lake Ora Rd residents find themselves in. And it's not funny - for some, it's terrifying. The recently released prisoner is Arthur Gray - he was declined parole because of concerns he would reoffend. He had been jailed for trying to kill a backpacker while experiencing paranoid delusions.
Gray also killed a fellow prisoner while inside for another offence, but was found not guilty in 1993 on grounds of self defence.
The Lake Ora Rd scenario cannot be ideal for Gray either - he is some distance from public transport or the services that he needs to function as a member of society. He is being asked to comply with nine strict conditions for the first six months of his release, and if he breaches any of these he is likely to be placed back inside. Has he been set up to fail?
The Lake Ora residents deserve a little better than this. As does Arthur Gray.
To be fair to our community leaders, there could be several reasons for the quiet hush.
It may be a steely quiet, while behind the scenes, moves are afoot to rectify the situation.
It may be a bewildered quiet - if Gray is moved, where to?
The Department of Correction can't place him in cheap backpacker or camping accommodation - he offended in such surrounds within days of his last prison release. What a disaster that would be. John Key is in Whangarei on Thursday - if you see him, ask him what he can do about the Lake Ora Rd scenario.
As advocates for your community, we will be.
