West Islip Sexual Offender Residency Under Scrutiny

The housing location of a convicted Level 3 sexual offender has at least one parent asking police to relocate the offender and has prompted the West Islip School District to issue a letter to parents about the issue.

According to a state crime database, there are five registered sex offenders residing in West Islip.

The residency of Douglas Oates, on Higbie Lane, is being protested as being too close to a day care facility operating in the former Westbrook Elementary School.

A West Islip parent, after learning about the offender’s housing location, called the Third Precinct to file a complaint and ask that Oates be moved given state rules regarding proximity of offenders' residences to schools and areas where children play.

“I’m told he [Oates] is suppose to be moved but the police were not aware there was a day care right across the street. The police also said concerned residents should call the precinct as well to get the guy moved,” the parent told Patch in an email.

Yesterday West Islip School Superintendent Dr. Bernadette Burns released a letter to parents on the district’s website regarding a high-risk, Level 3 sex offender living on Higbie Lane and asked parents to talk to students about safety measures and safe behavior.

“While West Islip is a safe community, when information such as this is received, we must take the opportunity to review safety rules with our children and remind them to be alert and careful so they will avoid situations that could place them in harm’s way,” states the letter.

According to a state criminal justice database Oates was convicted for sexual abuse in the first degree in March 1999.

A request to police for further information about the residency issue was not returned by press time. 

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.