GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The town board of Grand Chute revoked a motel’s license, alleging the business isn’t doing enough to prevent prostitution and illegal drug activity.
A complaint seeking to revoke the license of the Rodeway Inn, located at 210 N. Westhill Blvd., was filed Nov. 3, 2022.
The Grand Chute Police Department reported that from Jan. 1, 2022 through Oct. 15, 2022, police responded to 19 drug related calls at Rodeway Inn. Seven of those incidents were reported by motel employees, while 12 resulted from officer observations or citizen complaints, documents read.
Of the 19 drug related calls, nine resulted in at least one drug related arrest. There were 12 total drug related arrests. Three of these arrests were for drug trafficking offenses.
The town made a number of recommendations to the owner of Rodeway Inn, Arora Hospitality, including installing secure entries on the side and rear doors of the motel, removing gambling/gaming machines in the motel’s lobby and have operational video cameras in the lobby and parking lot.
Arora Hospitality filed a response on Nov. 16, 2022, saying the motel does not control other people’s behavior and was not aware of any prostitution-related activities upon check-in. Arora Hospitality says it has been trying its best to implement recommendations provided by the town, adding it needs more time to address the alleged violations.
During an inspection in Sept. 2022, the town alleges the motel did not make the required recommendations to operate safely.
At an appeal hearing on May 9, the town board voted to revoke the motel’s license.
The motel could be fined $1,000 per day for operating without a license.
