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Maathy317
Grammie's Little Man
Member since 2/06 3235 total posts
Name:
D
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Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Tonight I attended a meeting of the New England Village Homeowners Association at Seneca Middle School. One of the topics discussed was the proposed homeless shelter that was being considered for the Ronkonkoma area. It was to be built on Johnson Avenue right next to the Ronkonkoma Railroad Station. It would be large enough to house 400 residents. Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay had sent his aide to explain what was going on with this.
As of now, there is a Defunding Resolution being proposed for next month that will pull the funding for this project for this year. It will, in all likelihood, pass. However, this does not mean that this is a dead deal. This can come back year, after year, after year. While I am not, personally, opposed to a shelter to help those who are truly in need, we all know what kind of element these shelters attract. This will be used for any convicted felon that does not have a place to live and will, also, be used for the most vilest of all, the sexual predator. I don't think any of us need this in or near our communities.
For the Holbrook people who think this would not affect them, it most, certainly, will. This shelter would be less than a mile from Main Street and little more than a mile from Seneca Middle School. While this proposal is dead for this year, vigilance is needed for future years. I don't know who has heard about this, but, I just wanted to put the word out there.
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Posted 5/21/07 9:39 PM  |
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Pumpkin
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3353 total posts
Name:
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
well that is within walking distance to my home. This definately raises my awareness to the area. I am all for helping the homeless find places to live but convicted felons or rapists, I find this very unsettling. I am just not sure how I feel about it a few blocks from my home.
Thanks for posting this :) Do you know where else I can look for information on this?
Message edited 5/23/2007 10:12:36 AM.
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| Posted 5/21/07 10:08 PM |
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Maathy317
Grammie's Little Man
Member since 2/06 3235 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
I would contact the office of Legislator Bill Lindsay. His office is on Main Street in Holbrook.
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:15 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
this is the first I'm hearing about this. What worries me more is I used to commute to the CI train station (which is horrible) and am so happy to be finally parking in a relatively safe station like Ronkonkoma. A homeless shelter right there would totally hurt the train station and my property value.
I personally checked out watchdog and everything before I moved to Holbrook, they can't do this now.
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:23 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
can I ask why it is assumed that a homeless shelter would be a safe haven for criminals?
a homeless shelter wouldn't want criminals on its premises. It is a place for those who have no place to go on a cold winter's night... or a place to get a meal when there is no money to feed your children.
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:34 AM |
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by SweetTooth
can I ask why it is assumed that a homeless shelter would be a safe haven for criminals?
a homeless shelter wouldn't want criminals on its premises. It is a place for those who have no place to go on a cold winter's night... or a place to get a meal when there is no money to feed your children.
There are unfortunately going to be people staying there who are criminals. Many people who would want to stay at a shelter don't because they are in fear of being robbed or hurt.
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:51 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by dottiemchugh
Posted by SweetTooth
can I ask why it is assumed that a homeless shelter would be a safe haven for criminals?
a homeless shelter wouldn't want criminals on its premises. It is a place for those who have no place to go on a cold winter's night... or a place to get a meal when there is no money to feed your children.
There are unfortunately going to be people staying there who are criminals. Many people who would want to stay at a shelter don't because they are in fear of being robbed or hurt.
ditto, sadly a good chunk of shelter residences are criminals.
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:52 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Honestly, I dont want a homeless shelter in my neighborhood...period!
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:54 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by Lisa
Honestly, I dont want a homeless shelter in my neighborhood...period!
ditto, I don't either. We choose Holbrook to live based on many things, including security. I don't want it in my town, sorry if that is harsh.
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:55 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by kerrycec03
Posted by dottiemchugh
Posted by SweetTooth
can I ask why it is assumed that a homeless shelter would be a safe haven for criminals?
a homeless shelter wouldn't want criminals on its premises. It is a place for those who have no place to go on a cold winter's night... or a place to get a meal when there is no money to feed your children.
There are unfortunately going to be people staying there who are criminals. Many people who would want to stay at a shelter don't because they are in fear of being robbed or hurt.
ditto, sadly a good chunk of shelter residences are criminals.
I am not claiming to be an expert on shelters... is there evidence to back this up? Have there been studies done.
Because really, where should they put homeless shelters?
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| Posted 5/22/07 9:59 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
well I ask everybody the question "Would you want it in your backyard?". We pay high taxes for a reason.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:00 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by kerrycec03
well I ask everybody the question "Would you want it in your backyard?". We pay high taxes for a reason.
Actually, I wouldn't care.
Here is one study I found that debunks the MYTH that shelters endager the safety or values of a neighborhood.
Shelter myths
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:03 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by kerrycec03
well I ask everybody the question "Would you want it in your backyard?". We pay high taxes for a reason.
Actually, I wouldn't care.
Here is one study I found that debunks the MYTH that shelters endager the safety or values of a neighborhood.
Shelter myths
But you are in real estate yourself, you know that this can hurt property value. I'm sure when you are showing homes, most folks out there wouldn't be as accepting as yourself.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:10 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by kerrycec03
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by kerrycec03
well I ask everybody the question "Would you want it in your backyard?". We pay high taxes for a reason.
Actually, I wouldn't care.
Here is one study I found that debunks the MYTH that shelters endager the safety or values of a neighborhood.
Shelter myths
But you are in real estate yourself, you know that this can hurt property value. I'm sure when you are showing homes, most folks out there wouldn't be as accepting as yourself.
The article says this is a myth - that shelters do NOT decrease property value.
Everyone says "I am all for homeless shelters, just don't put one near me." Where should they go then, in the middle of the ocean?
What would happen to you (talking hypothetically here) if you got down on your luck, lost your home, and had no where to go?
Or another hypothetical situation, would you rather see a homeless person sleeping in a box on the sidewalk or in a bed in a shelter?
It just amazes me that some people have no compassion for those who are less fortunate, and g-d forbid you should be in that situation someday. (again hypothetical you).
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:13 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
but my question to you is, whether its a myth or not, if you were showing a place for sale next to homeless shelter you know as well as I do that would be a tough sell, correct? And just because some may say its a myth, you know most folks out there would look negatively on it, which in turn would make them not want to move in or around it, correct? Which then in turn hurts property value, correct?
You are very opened minded, and I commend you on it, but most out there aren't and would look negatively on an area that houses a shelter. I know myself that we choose the area we live in because of its schools, security, watchdog info, etc. I also know many LI's pay higher taxes than the rest of the country for many different reasons, but one huge reason is security. And whether or not shelters bring in crime, it will bring a negative reputation to the area.
Message edited 5/22/2007 10:19:42 AM.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:18 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
.OK just one more comment and then I am finished with my soapbox
This proposed shelter that is the issue of this thread is to be built next to the ronkonkoma train station, not in a residential area.
So no one would be living next door to the shelter... traditionally train stations are in more commercial areas because people don't want to live near the noise and traffic that a train station brings, myself included. So what's the harm in letting people who have no home stay there?
ETA: if there are homes around a train station, its already a hard sell because of the noise.
Message edited 5/22/2007 10:28:30 AM.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:26 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by SweetTooth
.OK just one more comment and then I am finished with my soapbox
This proposed shelter that is the issue of this thread is to be built next to the ronkonkoma train station, not in a residential area.
So no one would be living next door to the shelter... traditionally train stations are in more commercial areas because people don't want to live near the noise and traffic that a train station brings, myself included. So what's the harm in letting people who have no home stay there?
there are houses right around the train station....it is a residential area
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:26 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by kerrycec03
Posted by dottiemchugh
Posted by SweetTooth
can I ask why it is assumed that a homeless shelter would be a safe haven for criminals?
a homeless shelter wouldn't want criminals on its premises. It is a place for those who have no place to go on a cold winter's night... or a place to get a meal when there is no money to feed your children.
There are unfortunately going to be people staying there who are criminals. Many people who would want to stay at a shelter don't because they are in fear of being robbed or hurt.
ditto, sadly a good chunk of shelter residences are criminals.
I am not claiming to be an expert on shelters... is there evidence to back this up? Have there been studies done.
Because really, where should they put homeless shelters?
I used to work in an agency that had several homeless shelters in Huntington. Many residents had drug problems, criminal history i.e. level three sex offenders. Unfortunately, many "undesirables" are warehoused in these type of facilities because most often they have limited regulatory oversight and minimal staff supervison. Despite what many people would like to believe, many of these individulas are not in a homeless shelter due to losing ttheir job or home, in fact, this was hardly the case in most circumstances. The ones that are mostly in the shelters are those that want to live off the system, without having to work, or get a job and are chronically homeless b/c they want to be so they can do what they want. It is a very sad reality for most.We had some of the best run shelters in long island and I still would never want them in my neighborhood. Never!!
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:33 AM |
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
I have the same questions and I agree with Lauren. When there is something like this proposed, there is a ton of speculation about what it will be like. Actually, I don't think that the prisons or probation release people directly into the shelter system (not sure??). They do send people to halfway houses and group homes. Actually, there is already at least one of those that I know of in Holbrook and it exists quietly. I think that many people would be surprised to know how tightly run some shelters are. I own a business within walking distance of this area. I am concerned and I see the negatives to having a shelter in the area. I only want the bare facts and I want to know where to get them.
Message edited 5/22/2007 10:36:52 AM.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:33 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by ssdbk
I have the same questions and I agree with Lauren. When there is something like this proposed, there is a ton of speculation about what it will be like. Actually, I don't think that the prisons or probation release people directly into the shelter system (not sure??). They do send people to halfway houses and group homes. Actually, there is already at least one of those that I know of in Holbrook and it exists quietly. I think that many people would be surprised to know how tightly run some shelters are. I own a business within walking distance of this area. I am concerned and I see the negatives to having a shelter in the area. I only want the bare facts and I want to know where to get them.
In fact the prisons do send them to homeless shelters or Adult homes with a probation officer. Due to limited financial assistance post release from prison, this is their only option, especially on long island were public assistance is minimal compared to the cost of living.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:39 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
see it amazes me that the folks that would have no problem with them are the ones who don't live in the prospective area. Of course those of us that will be directly effected by this (those living in the area like me, Lisa, Maathy, etc) are the most upset.
I would really find it hard to believe that living within .5 miles of a shelter is a benefit. I know myself when we were looking I went on the HUD websites because me and DH didn't want to live next to the projects or government housing. It just something I don't want in my area.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:43 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
yes there is a halfway house in Holbrook...I think its right near me. I am not heartless BUT I want the residents to stop picking in my garbage!! My neighbors are constantly telling them to get off of the property. If my garbage is at the cub...I really cant say anything, but when they come up to my back fence to pick through, then I have a problem.
they should NOT be on anyones property...period!!!
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:44 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by Lisa
yes there is a halfway house in Holbrook...I think its right near me. I am not heartless BUT I want the residents to stop picking in my garbage!! My neighbors are constantly telling them to get off of the property. If my garbage is at the cub...I really cant say anything, but when they come up to my back fence to pick through, then I have a problem.
they should NOT be on anyones property...period!!!
call the town and they will contact the agency that runs the program to provide better supervision.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:47 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by Lisa
yes there is a halfway house in Holbrook...I think its right near me. I am not heartless BUT I want the residents to stop picking in my garbage!! My neighbors are constantly telling them to get off of the property. If my garbage is at the cub...I really cant say anything, but when they come up to my back fence to pick through, then I have a problem.
they should NOT be on anyones property...period!!!
call the town and they will contact the agency that runs the program to provide better supervision.
my neighbors have tried that may times.,,it works for a week of 2 then they are back....
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:52 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Holbrook and Ronkonkoma residents
Posted by Lisa
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by Lisa
yes there is a halfway house in Holbrook...I think its right near me. I am not heartless BUT I want the residents to stop picking in my garbage!! My neighbors are constantly telling them to get off of the property. If my garbage is at the cub...I really cant say anything, but when they come up to my back fence to pick through, then I have a problem.
they should NOT be on anyones property...period!!!
call the town and they will contact the agency that runs the program to provide better supervision.
my neighbors have tried that may times.,,it works for a week of 2 then they are back....
then you have no choice but to call the police. I know it's harsh, but you would not accept it form your other neighbors, so why the ones form the halfway house. Besides if this minimizes the problems that you are having maybe halfway homes would get a better reputation in the neighborhoods they want to be placed in.
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| Posted 5/22/07 10:55 AM |
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