Residents of a Mount Pearl neighbourhood say there’s a sense of relief, for now, after a registered sex offender was arrested yesterday.

Witnesses say several police cruisers cornered Matthew Twyne around 12:30 in the afternoon on a Commonwealth Avenue sidewalk.

The 35-year-old—who has almost 100 convictions, some for exposing himself to children—was handcuffed and taken into custody.

He is again accused of breaking the conditions of his probation, causing many to wonder why the courts keep releasing him.

RNC spokesman James Cadigan says every case is different, adding that the release of such offenders is a balancing act involving numerous agencies with public safety always the priority.

He says the police are constantly assessing the status of offenders like Twyne and their activity in the community in conjunction with other groups. He says while Twyne has a right to live in the community, it is weighed in the context of public safety.

Twyne was held in custody pending another appearance in court this morning