When high-risk sex offender James William Conway was moved to Chilliwack last year, the local MLA said although he was notified, he didn鈥檛 have any objections.
However, Laurie Throness now believes Conway鈥檚 location is less than ideal.
鈥淟ast year, I didn鈥檛 object to his placement in Chilliwack because he has to live somewhere in B.C.,鈥� said the Chilliwack-Hope representative said.
鈥淏ut now that we know (where he is) and know families are on either side, his place of residence is difficult to defend.鈥�
Throness was the Solicitor General for Corrections during his first term, and published a review on our provincial penitentiary system called Standing Against Violence: A Safety Review of BC Corrections in December 2014.
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鈥淚 have a good relationship with BC Corrections,鈥� said Throness. 鈥淚 have been communicating with (them) this week.
鈥淥f course my first concern is public safety. But there鈥檚 no immediate danger to children. Mr. Conway is locked down tight.鈥�
Conway remains subject to more than two dozen 鈥渧ery stringent conditions,鈥� including 24-hour supervision and an ankle bracelet.
鈥淚 am told that he has been completely compliant for the past three years,鈥� he added.
However, Kelly Wood, who lives near Conway and organized a rally against his placement in their family-friendly neighbourhood, worries about what the convicted sex offender can get away with.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 just so violating,鈥� Wood told The Progress during an earlier interview. 鈥淗e was waving at my girlfriend as she drove by and she called me freaking out. Called Corrections and they said since he鈥檚 able to do what he wants in his own home.鈥�
Since learning who her neighbour is, Wood said she鈥檚 barely slept and hasn鈥檛 eaten in days. 鈥淎ll I can think about is this creep and it鈥檚 bothering me that I鈥檓 even thinking about it this much 鈥� but at least I can do my due-diligence (as a mother now).
When do my children and the community of chilliwack get to feel safe We have a high risk sexual offender that is a diagnosed pedophile with a side of paraphilia living in our community and driving past our homes. My family has been violated and we need your help
鈥� Kelly Wood (@KellyWo93086536)
鈥淢y son would ride his bike past (Conway鈥檚) gate before. Now that I鈥檓 aware, he isn鈥檛 allowed.鈥�
And while Throness agrees that Conway鈥檚 current placement is no longer as originally described, the region鈥檚 recent growth may have played a factor.
鈥淚n the sense of proximity, it was a more remote area three years ago,鈥� he said, adding he鈥檚 recently toured the area.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a brand new subdivision going in there, and there鈥檚 a clearing across from (what鈥檚 believed to be Conway鈥檚) residence, so the area鈥檚 becoming less remote (daily).
鈥淯nfortunately, there鈥檚 no long-term solution for Mr. Conway. He鈥檚 disable and may never get better. So I will continue to work with BC Corrections to explore other options for a long term solution to ensure the public is safe.鈥�
Sarah.Gawdin@theprogress.com
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