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West Bend residents concerned about sex offender living within sight of high school
West Bend residents concerned about sex offender living within sight of high school
WEST BEND (WITI) -- It's the last place you would want a convicted sex offender living. But that's where he is -- within sight of a high school. Now, parents in West Bend are having a hard time understanding how it was allowed to happen.
Parents living on South River Rd. worry about their new neighbor. On Monday, March 2nd, 29-year-old Justin Rathke moved into a building just one block away from West Bend East and West High Schools. Rathke was released from prison after serving time for two counts of sexual assault of a child. His victims were 14-year-old girls. So how it is possible for him to live near a school?
"West Bend does not have any ordinances. We are regulated by the state statutes and Department of Corrections," said West Bend Police Chief Ken Meuler.
Chief Mueler says Rathke's living situation is unusual and temporary.
"This case, the Department of Corrections was under some very tight time constraints. They were unable to find a spot and are still working with Mr. Rathke to find a better location," said Mueler.
Rathke will have to follow several rules.
"He cannot leave the house until after 8:00 a.m. which all schools are in session at that time -- and has to be in the apartment by 1:45 p.m.," said Mueler. "The time he is out, he will be in contact with the Department of Corrections and have a GPS on. The GPS regulates, he can't go on any school grounds."
The police chief says the matter of a sex offender ordinance is scheduled for a future council discussion item.
As it relates to Rathke, if he violates his GPS monitoring or parole, police say they will be alerted and take him into custody for a violation. Officers are also assigned to do regular checks to make sure he is in compliance.