Police warn that Teneycke is "highly dangerous" and a high risk to reoffend violently against a female.

But they said that because Oliver is a small town, all residents will keep a watchful eye on him.

"I don't think Mr. Teneycke would be able to turn around without exchanging glances, without people recognizing him. They know who he is," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

Teneycke was convicted for the rape of a 17-year-old girl in nearby Okanagan Falls in 1993.

But Teneycke told Global BC last night that the community shouldn't be afraid of him.

"If anybody in the community has a problem and wants to speak to me face-to-face, they have nothing to fear," he said.

Teneycke is staying at an uncle's house and said he is looking for a job.

When an offender moves back into the area in which he committed his offences, it "compounds the trauma," said Tina Wallner of Victim Services in Osoyoos. "Victims find it very difficult to deal with. They would have done some of their healing and gotten on with their lives and, suddenly, the offender comes back and it's like the whole incident happens again."

More than 100 concerned residents crowded into an Oliver firehall yesterday afternoon to learn about Teneycke and his court-ordered conditions.

Another meeting will be held today at the Oliver Recreation Centre at 7 p.m.

hchan@png.canwest.com