Residents in Schomberg, Ont. say they’re concerned about the release of a high-risk sex offender into the community.
Keith Theodore Constantin, 35, has a long criminal history in Hamilton. He has been convicted of several sexual assaults, assaults with a weapon, robbery and possession of explosives.
“This individual has done some very bad things in the past and understably people are concerned about him,” said King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini.
Now, Constantin, considered by authorities to be a high-risk sex offender, is being released in Schomberg, Ont., located about 60 kilometres northeast of Toronto.
As part of his release, he is not allowed to be in the presence of anyone under the age of 16. Constantin can’t be present in any daycare, swimming area, school ground or playground. He also has to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
But these conditions failed to calm the worries of Schomberg residents—especially those with children.
“I have an eight-year-old son and he has a lot of friends,” said one resident. “I’m terrified.”
About 300 people packed a community centre in Schomberg to express their concern to police officials about having Constantin in their town.
“Why would it be deemed a good idea to put (Constantin) in a rural area away from great mental health services that are offered down in the city?” said another resident.
Police admit Constantin poses a risk, particularly to children, but they say they’re confident in the monitoring program he’ll be under.
“You have to understand. We’re all parents too. We have kids as well,” said a police official. “We don’t want anything bad to happen.”
Meanwhile, Pellegrini says it’s important to educate kids about these kinds of offenders.
Students in King Township were recently sent home with a release from York Regional Police providing tips about how to stay safe on the streets.
