City Councilman Brad Lander (Park Slope, Kensington) today advised Kensington residents to chill out about the sighting of a homeless shelter that drew about 80 protestors against it Monday night, and has begun pitting neighbor against neighbor on Facebook and elsewhere.
The brouhaha erupted after the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) announced recently they would put the homeless shelter for 64 families with children at 385 McDonald Avenue between Albemarle Road and Church Avenue at the vacant building site – that once served as a college dorm and, before that, an assisted living facility.
The site sits between both the P.S. 230 main public school on the corner of Albemarle Road and McDonald Avenue and the P.S. 230 extension on McDonald Avenue between Albemarle Road and Church Avenue.
“I understand that some Kensington residents are anxious about the new family shelter, and angry about the short notice of its opening. But I am confident that by working together, with a strong operator in CAMBA (who operate the Park Slope Women’s Shelter and others around the city), in partnership with PS 230, the 66th Precinct, and community groups, we will address any issues that arise, and make sure the shelter succeeds for its residents, its neighbors, and the Kensington community,” said Lander.
But Lander’s words of encouragement didn’t sit well with some local residents including a large contingent of Bangladeshi immigrants that now live in the neighborhood and whose children attend the local schools.
After getting wind of the homeless shelter, these residents, along with some longtime residents began putting posters up in the neighborhood with a call for Monday’s demonstration.
“Needless to say a homeless center carries the risks of drugs, sexual predatory activities and other crimes that endangers the lives of innocent people,” the poster read in both Bangladeshi and English.
The ensuing protest, which was covered by the KensingtonBK blog also drew quite a few responses on Facebook including some derogatory comments that were taken down against the large Bengali immigrant community that lives in Kensington.
Comments also included some Bengali immigrants and longtime residents that had no problem with the shelter. And it was to these residents and to their better nature that Lander appealed.
“I’ve been encouraged by the many residents who have already organized the welcome new residents of the shelter, with welcome baskets, diapers for the kids, and more. Kensington’s diversity is one of its great strengths, and we will work together to keep it that way,” he said.
