New Wilmot visitor policy screens sex offenders

Software program to check against national database

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

To bolster security for students and staff, Wilmot Union High School officials have unveiled a new program last week designed to keep registered sex offenders out.

The Raptor Visitor Management System is a software program that requires visitors to check in with their state-issued identification card, and in turn, the system scans through a sex offender database.

According to District Administrator Daniel Kopp, the new feature did not need School Board approval, and cost the district $2,500.

“It did not require board approval,” Kopp said. “(It is) approximately $2,500 start up fee, then less than $500 per year.”

In a letter addressed to parents, Principal John LaFleur reports the safeguard accomplishes the district’s mission.

“Part of keeping students and faculty safe is knowing who is in our building at all times and the Raptor system will allow us to do that,” he stated.

When prospective visitors enter, they will get their identification cards scanned, only gathering their name, date of birth and photo to compare against a national database.

Visitors should not incur any extra processing time, Kopp stated.

“It takes less than 30 seconds,” said Kopp.

While the system gathers basic vital information, Raptor is not connected to any other system, including the Department of Motor Vehicles.

After visitors receive clearance, they should receive a badge containing the visitor’s name, date and the purpose of the visit.

A visitor’s pass is not needed if people are leaving items for students or staff at the front reception, the letter added.

While one registered sex offender lives within three miles of Wilmot’s zip code of 53192, according to the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry, there are 13 in both 53179 (Trevor) and 53181 (Twin Lakes).

But, the Raptor Visitor Management has demonstrated results since it’s launch in 2002, alerting school officials to more than 50,000 sex offenders attempting to gain entry to schools across the country.

“The Raptor System has also been credited with the arrests of numerous absconded sex offenders that have crossed state lines,” the website states.

The new feature, LaFleur said, maintains the district’s priority of safety.

“The safety of our students is our highest priority and the Raptor visitor management system provides a consistent way to aid in keeping our students safe,” LaFleur stated.

Visitors without a state identification card should expect a staff escort throughout the building.


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One response to “New Wilmot visitor policy screens sex offenders”

  1. WisconsinReform Avatar

    Of those 50,000 offenders trying to gain access to a school’s grounds, how many of them were PARENTS of one or more of the students at those schools?