Parents living near a South Bend office complex may have a little less to be concerned about tonight. Several law enforcement agencies, including the Special Victims Unit, are moving into the East Bank Village. This means that some suspected child abusers will be coming to the complex for interviews.
All that would be fine, neighbors say, if not for the Eats Bank Learning Center, a daycare and preschool, already being at the village. Parents told FOX28 News they wanted interviews conducted off site.
After a meeting with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office and the owner of East Bank Village, the assistant director of East Bank Learning Center, forwarded this letter to us. The letter is from Leslie Kleppe, the owner of East Bank Village. It explains that, although interviews will still be conducted on site, a major change in policy will include officers on patrol outside the building.
Dear Parents,
Because of your support, procedural/policies/plans were changed yesterday for all people in the East Bank Village. This was something I was trying to do alone, however with your help all safety concerns were brought to light at the meeting. I was working tirelessly contacting family members that are attorneys, FBI, running all over town and anyone I could get to listen. I am completely CONFIDENT that all surrounding schools, businesses will be safer because of Mr. Dvorak's concrete decisions. The way the building is going to be configured, the police presence not only inside the building, but NOW outside as well. There will never be UNSUPERVISED potential dangerous individuals near our children. I will also be making changes to the safety procedures/environment to East Bank. I have also been given permission to let you know that Eric Tamashasky (former deputy prosecutor) and current adviser for the cyber crimes unit) has had his children at East Bank over five years and will answer any questions you may have. You can contact him at Eric.tamashasky@gmail.com Again, I will be setting up a meeting with all of the organizations and the Prosecutor in the next two weeks. Your concerns were heard and I was very vocal making sure that we will be safe. My calling in life is to protect, educate and partner with families to see that our children are growing and thriving. Thank you again for your help, I could not have done it without you. -Leslie Kleppe
FOX28 News will continue to follow this and update you as soon as there are further developments.
