SAN DIEGO -- Matthew Hedge is spending his first full day out of Atascadero State Hospital.

Despite Hedge's trailer sitting on the grounds of Donovan State Prison, he is no longer locked up.

He's free to shop, enjoy the weather and do the same things everyone else does. That's what frightens so many who live nearby.

When Hedge moved into his trailer in Otay Mesa, there was no welcome wagon.

Instead, he got a GPS bracelet so law enforcement officers can know his every move. And they say they'll even go a step further.

"We're going to conduct independent surveillence. He's not going to know when or where we're following him," said Ernie Limon, with Sex Assault Felony Enforcement.

Hedge molested two young boys and two young girls.

He's spent the last seven years at the state hospital in Atascadero getting treatment.

Tuesday night, deputies notified neighbors a violent sexual offender had moved in.

The Randolph family wrote letters trying to keep Hedge out of their community.

"The closest grocery store to Donovan is the grocery store I shop at. The Wal-Mart that I shop at is the closest store," said neighbor Tina Randolph.

Hedge can go to places like the movies and grocery store, but he has to have permission ahead of time.

Although Hedge will be closely watched, no one can guarantee he won't reoffend.

When 10News spoke with Hedge in May, he said his treatment has helped.

"There are hundreds of thousands of sex offenders in California who do not have treatment. There are maybe 60,000 wo are not registered. Those are the ones who are most dangerous. No one knows where they are," Hedge said.

Law enforcement officers say one of the best ways for parents to protect their children from sexual offenders is through awareness. They parents should show their children pictures of the offenders and teach them not to talk with strangers.