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Westway Homeless Are Ongoing Problem
"Department of Homeless Services is not here," said City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. at UCCA's November meeting, a follow-up to a tumultuous turnout by furious residents over the continued use of the Westway Motor Inn as a homeless shelter three weeks before. Borough President Helen Marshall said she called DHS Commissioner Robert Hess immediately following the October 11 UCCA meeting requesting he attend. "There was plenty of time to arrange for [Hess] to come," she said. But Hess and DHS Assistant Commissioner Carmine Rivetti, who did attend the October meeting, were both in Washington D.C. on business, Marshall said. "No one [from DHS] is here tonight." Marshall and UCCA President Rose Marie Poveromo went on a fact-finding visit to the Westway Motel. Marshall said they went to the motel in the evening after the 5 p.m. check-in for homeless people sent to Westway on a daily basis by bus from the DHS intake center in The Bronx. By law, the city must provide overnight shelter to the homeless. Marshall described seeing mothers and fathers with children at the motel, explaining that DHS no longer put up single adults at the Westway. "To be homeless, not so much fun," said Marshall, concerning one mother who, she said, appeared upset. Vallone said the community protest had resulted in a change of policy by DHS. As of October 12, the city stopped giving emergency shelter to families who are reapplying for a place to stay after having been ruled ineligible for benefits. "That policy is working," said Vallone. "I'm told we have less people coming to the Westway." Marshall said she was told the Westway is getting 25 homeless people per night after the new DHS policy compared to 50 people per night before by an employee at the motel. A resident of 71st Street countered that view, saying she now sees three buses dropping people off every night as opposed to two busloads before. "You went [to the Westway] and they're telling you what you want to hear," she said. "The Borough President and myself were in that motel at 10 p.m. at night in order to come here with valid information," said Poveromo. "We're trying to find out what's going on." Inspector Brian McCarthy, commanding officer of the 114th Police Precinct said no criminal arrests have been made at or in the vicinity of the Westway since the October 11 meeting. "Our narcotics and vice units have conducted investigations," he said. "Neither have been fruitful." Assemblymember Michael Gianaris said he has tried to contact the owner of the Westway, Robert Benach, but has been unsuccessful. He also reported that Borough President Marshall and Poveromo encountered a topless woman on the night of their visit to the motel. "The point is there are things going on [at the Westway] and there is a problem at this location," said Gianaris. State Senator George Onorato urged residents to call 311 when they observe illegal activity at the motel. "We have to get things documented and have some arrests made. Then, by law, we can have this place shut down for illicit activities," he said. "Inundate them with calls. Perhaps the mayor will get the message." Onorato said a representative of Mayor Bloomberg's Community Assistance Unit did attend the November 1 meeting but did not speak and was told that the community wanted Westway removed, "no ands, ifs, or buts". "We're going to try to have a meeting with the mayor," said Marshall. "We've got to show that this is a bad place and not very good for children and families." "Fifteen years I've been coming to meetings on the [Westway], said a resident. "If in 15 years you all haven't been able to [close the Westway], why should I believe you'll be able to do it in the next 15 days or 15 months." "I completely understand how you feel," said Vallone. "I'd love to say we got this place closed down. The only thing I can promise you is that myself and the [other elected officials] will continue to work as hard as we can." |
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