Global News has learned Larry Takahashi, also known as the “balaclava rapist,” is living in the downtown area of Vancouver.
Vancouver residents were quick to comment after police confirmed Monday that Takahashi was going to be living in a halfway house in the city.
On Tuesday, a source told Global News the 63-year-old – who is serving three life sentences for rape – is strapped to an ankle bracelet while out on parole.
According to Corrections Canada, Takahashi’s halfway house address is a secret because of privacy laws, something some Vancouverites take exception to.
READ MORE: ‘Balaclava Rapist’ Larry Takahashi released on parole from life sentence in Vancouver
“I don’t think he should ever be out – no. Not with three life sentences,” one resident said.
“If he’s a rapist then you want to know if he’s your neighbour,” another said.
Vancouver police issued a public warning to alert residents that Takahashi poses a significant risk to women and teenaged girls.
The parole board has released him after more than 30 years in prison despite its concerns he still fantasizes about rape.
“I go to bed. I wake up with a man with a knife at my temple,” one of Takahashi’s victims said.
“Jane,” one of 23 victims – was raped in her own home 36 years ago while her family was fast asleep.
She said Takahashi abdicated his right to freedom and privacy decades ago.
“Takahashi, you lost your freedom. Your rights. You chose what you did! You wore a freakin’ mask for crying out loud. And you repeatedly went into people’s apartments and raped them.”
READ MORE: Police issue warning about release of convicted sex offender
Across the border, the public’s right to know trumps the privacy rights of sex offenders.
An online registry details how many offenders are living in your neighbourhood – down to the street address. The offender’s picture, aliases and criminal history are all public domain in the U.S.
“A registry is another way of holding a perpetrator accountable beyond a sentence, which is to say that the public has information,” Angela Marie Macdougall with Battered Women’s Support Services said.
While in Vancouver, Takahashi must abide by several conditions including a curfew of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. He’s also not supposed to have female passengers in his vehicle or visit any college or university campus.
“The danger you pose to the community outweighs your right to privacy at that point,” another Vancouver resident added.
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