SHELTER’S LOCATION SPARKS SOME CONCERNS
Neighboring residents, businesses worried about Code Blue’s new home
SARATOGA SPRINGS >> Mayor Joanne Yepsen and Shelters of Saratoga announced last week that a new location for Code Blue has been found with the Soul Saving Station Church on Henry Street. However, it seems some local residents and businesses aren’t as pleased with this announcement as others.
From Nov. 1 to April 1, the Church will welcome homeless individuals caught in severe weather conditions. For the past two years, the Salvation Army served as the shelter location but did not renew its contract for this year’s operation. In January, Gov. Andrew Cuomo put into effect an executive order that details such inclement weather as at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This change meant that whatever facility housed Code Blue would be seeing an increase in use.
After a long process, Soul Saving Station was announced to be the next location for Code Blue, but many are opposed to this decision given its proximity to Caroline Street bars, businesses, homes and the Saratoga Springs Public Library. They’re concerned about safety issues surrounding the operation.
In a letter sent to Yepsen signed by various residents and business owners in the area surrounding the location, concerns are outlined, including the proximity to various locations such as the library, Children’s Museum, the bars and One Roof Holistic Health Center, and the fact that none of these locations were notified ahead of time. The announcement was made without input from the public.
These business owners and residents are concerned about the proximity for a number of reasons, most notably the fact that some who enter Code Blue are known sex-offenders, which, the letter states, “poses a risk to the vulnerable populations that attend nearby schools, the Children’s Museum and Public Library.”
Library Director Ike Pulver is concerned with the influx of individuals leaving the Code Blue shelter in the early morning and the safety issues that entails.
“We assume that it’s very likely that there are many more
people in the library experiencing homelessness than we’re aware of, so it’s not a condition of having that experience, it’s just about maintaining our code of conduct. Our concern is when there’s a sudden influx of people coming from across the road, what systems do we put in place to handle that,” Pulver said.
Pulver said the library is not adamently opposed to the shelter being at Soul Saving Station but wants to see safety measures in place to ensure the neighborhood remains as safe as it can be.
Friday morning, several residents and business owners met with Yepsen, Shelters of Saratoga Executive Director Michael Finocci and Saratoga Springs Police Chief Greg Veitch to discuss their concerns.
Finocci did not return a call for comment.
Yepsen said while no official plans were put in place, the concerned citizens will continue to meet to discuss alternatives and solutions to many of their concerns.
“Lots of churches are supportive, but lots of churches don’t have extra space,” Yepsen said, which is why Soul Saving Station was ultimately chosen.
Yepsen also indicated that the Salvation Army is still part of the conversation and that they would probably be “getting a lot of calls.”
Veitch said that no matter where Code Blue is located, there will be safety concerns and they will do their best to address those.
“There have been concerns about Code Blue from day one about public safety issues and we try to educate the public as best we can,” Veitch said. “Our part in it is trying to maintain public safety.”
The letter states that a screening process should be implemented for those coming to the Code Blue shelter and that transport should be available to bring the homeless to the shelter to avoid them walking through the dense bar population.
“Caroline [Street] is the densest bar district in the area,” the letter states. “To get to the Soul Saving Station, homeless would have to walk through this area to go to breakfast & services at the Salvation Army in the morning (when the Code Blue Shelter closes) and in evenings to get to Code Blue. Will transport be provided – who will provide transport?”
Among the citizens at the meeting were Selma Nemer, founder of One Roof Holistic Health Center, who, despite her concerns, had a positive reaction to the meeting. The letter states “Already some of our [One Roof’s] female clients are voicing fears about receiving services at One Roof in the evenings. We are already facing a loss of income due to Code Blue. Many clients already have PTSD, sexual abuse/assault issues, and are not feeling safe walking to their cars alone after dark.”
Nemer said that the meeting was very productive, though, and that a general concensus was met that another solution could be found.
“Everyone was in agreement that they want to help the homeless, not only with Code Blue, but going forward with permanent solutions,” Nemer said. “There were a lot of constructive ideas about this year’s Code Blue, lots of support from the police and community.”