Port Police Re-interviewing 2 Victims in Bus Driver Case

Port Washington police will re-interview two of the victims allegedly on his route before the District Attorney will make a decision about filing charges, Police Chief Richard Thomas said.

The department is hoping to have the interviews done by the end of the week, he said; at that time, it's just a matter of to rise to the level of criminal charges.

Police said they received a phone call from a parent Oct. 13 alleging inappropriate behavior by a school bus driver toward students on the bus. Principal Arlan Galarowicz said police immediately notified the school, and the Johnson School Bus Service driver was put on leave. Galarowicz said they are also surrounding the driver.

One parent told Patch that his son, who was interviewed by police, told him a bus driver had inappropriately touched him and others last school year. He said the bus driver would touch students on the thighs and buttocks if they did not give him a high five.

The report was sent to the DA last week, and is based on interviews with 37 students, according to the Ozaukee Press. The driver would make students who he apparently said needed supervision sit on a hump near his seat, which is often how the alleged touching was able to occur.

If the DA decides to file charges, the likely won't come until at least next week, Thomas said.