DRAFT
HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
July 17, 2013
A meeting of the Homeless Outreach Program Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 10:00 am at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Sargent Harry Rocheville of the Salem Police Department, Valerie Sweeney, LPN of Lifebridge and Jane Guy and Frank Taormina of the City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development, City Councillor William Legault, Dominick Pangela of the Mayor’s Office and Diane Wolf of the Lobster Shanty. Heather Famico arrived later in the meeting.
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Sweeney made a motion to approve the minutes of 4/18/12, 7/18/12, 9/19/12 and 4/17/13. Sgt. Rocheville seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Artist Row
Ms. Wolf stated that she felt that the number of homeless or drunk persons on Artist Row is expedentially more. She stated there are now large groups. She stated that for a two week stretch, she called the Salem Police every day, but that she feels she is wasting their time. She stated that the groups are walking by and shouting and verbally harrasing her customers and are very aggressive. Some appear to be getting youngers. She would like a no trespass order.
Ms. Wolf stated that people are also hanging out in the alley behind Eastern Bank and Graziani (Higginson Square), leaving behind sweatshirts, beer bottles and needles.
Councillor Legault stated that it smells like urine there and that he would like to see a light in that alley.
Ms. Sweeney stated that she provides constant outreach in the downtown and that it is like hurding cattle.
Councillor Legault stated that the fact that they are congregating in the area means that the Salem Police are keeping them out of other areas.
Ms. Sweeney stated that there has been a change in shelter policy that if an individual does not qualify for harm reduction, they cannot stay upstairs in the shelter overnight.
Sgt. Rocheville stated that the majority of the persons causing problems are not allowed at the shelter and that there is a misconception about Lifebridge’s mission. He stated that it is not a crime to be homeless and that police cannot arbitrarily move people along. He noted that for two of the persons causing problems, they have recently been served with new no trespass orders. He stated that they have asked Eastern Bank to have their lights repaired. They were repaired and now one light is out; they have been asked to have it repaired again. He noted that the majority of issues in the alley are from patrons of the nearby bars cutting through. He added that needles are being found throughout the city, not just in the downtown.
Ms. Famico joined the meeting at this time.
Sgt. Rocheville stated that the police do regular patrols in the marketplace, as well as the Community Impact Unit. He suggested that businesses continue to call the police when there is inappropriate behavior or if they see the persons with no trespass orders. The CIU will also put the issues on the roll call. He noted that the bike patrols have started up and are usually out Friday and Saturday nights. He stated that they will monitor if the same persons are causing problems and should be served no trespass orders as well.
Ms. Sweeney stated that there are also persons hanging out on the patio behind the wax museum.
Sgt. Rocheville stated that it is private property. The owner would need to put up no trespass signs. He stated that the best tool is a no trespass order. He stated that it a person is arrested twice, the judge will likely give them 30 days in jail. He stated that the City has placed tables and chairs in public areas, therefore the police can’t do much with those areas.
Councillor Legault stated that many packaged stores won’t sell to some of the offenders, but noted that there are many people who will purchase alcohol for them.
Mr. Pangello stated that he spoke with City Electrician, John Giardi, who indicated that the lights on the side of the Artist Row buildings are powered by individual breakers inside each building. He stated that each artist should make sure they are on.
Councillor Legault stated that that the end alcove needs to get power-washed and lit.
Mr. Pangello stated that a locked gate could be installed there.
Ms. Wolf stated that the Lobster Shanty’s empty beer bottles have been stolen and that they had to install a lid and a solid metal door.
Mr. Taormina stated that the public restrooom is an attraction. Individuals often wait for it to open. During the week, it is opened by the City, but on weekends it is opend by the artists. He stated that the artists were sometimes feeling uncomfortable with the individuals hanging out there waiting for the restroom to open. The suggestions was made to keep the doors locked in an open position, which still allows privacy but keeps the area more open. Persons inside can no longer lock the doors from the inside, which helps to eliminate some unwanted behavior.
Councillor Legault stated that there have been reports of persons bathing in the sink and that one individual was seen naked
Ms. Sweeney stated that she was able to get permission to allow persons banded from the shelter to come in to take a shower, as long as they were not banded for something violent. She asked where needles have been found.
Ms. Wolf stated that they have been found in the raised planter bed behind Eastern Bank.
Ms. Sweeney stated that she can provide Ms. Wolf with a sharps box and gloves. The full container can be dropped off at Beverly Hospital. She asked if there are any times where issues are worse on Artist Row.
Ms. Wolf stated that the worse times are between 7 and 8 am when workers first arrive and from 7 to 8 pm during dinner.
Councillor Legault stated that individuals may be chasing the shady spots. He stated that anyone should feel free to call or email him.
Ms. Sweeney stated that anyone should also feel free to contact her at Lifebridge.
The next meeting will be July 17, 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
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