People in Quispamsis are not happy that officials refuse to release the name of a convicted pedophile living in the town. About 100 residents attended a public meeting Wednesday night on the issue, but were told their fears may be misguided.

Dawn Young believes the man should be identified.

"I'd be more interested in seeing his picture just so that if I was walking down the street or if he was walking down the street or hangin' around our street I'd recognize him."

Young and other parents weren't happy with answers they got at Wednesday's meeting.

Because the man is on parole and under treatment, police have been advised not to release the man's name.

Corrections officials believe releasing his name would hamper his rehabilitation.

Psychologist Paul Gendreau specializes in criminal correction.

He says statistics show the fear of people in the neighbourhood is probably misplaced.

"Well, if they continue to worry about it it'll lead to some really irrational kinds of beliefs. Look in any kind of situation you live anywhere in this country or in any other country, if you have children you should street-proof your children. And the threats to children's safety can come from all forms and sources. And pedophiles are a very small, small percentage."

Tina Downey is one person in the neighbourhood who agrees.

"I think that there's probably a lot more people out there that could do harm that we don't know about and we need to be more focused on a regular basis on our kids safety and not put so much hype on this one man."

But others watch their kids play and get scared.

They say this convicted pedophile has changed their lives.

They want their security back.