HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
April 18, 2012
A meeting of the Homeless Outreach Program Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 10:00 am at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Shelly McPherson and Mark Cote of Lifebridge, Sgt. Dennis King and Sgt. Harry Rocheville of the Salem Police Department and Jane Guy of the City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development.
Ms. Guy informed the group about an email received from Jennifer Bell of Salem Main Streets, regarding a business complaint about homeless persons hanging out and drinking at the South Harbor garage. Ms. Guy stated that she forwarded the complaint to Lifebridge and to Jim Hacker of the Parking Department and also provided Ms. Bell with contact information for the Street Outreach Worker.
Ms. Guy stated that this morning she observed an apparently homeless individual pushing a cart who was in bad need of a shower.
Mr. Cote recognized the individual and will have staff encourage him to use the shelter shower services.
Mr. Cote stated that he has spoken with Andrew Defrenza, the Executive Director of Harborlight Community Partners, who have absorbed the Riverhouse in Beverly. They are planning to close Riverhouse from the end of April through October. They have an aggressive placement plan for the 30 current residents, but noted that there are two or three hard core individuals that they cannot place.
Sgt. Rocheville stated that there is no guarantee that the 30 placed will stay where they are placed. He stated that there needs to be a proactive plan in place in case it backfires.
Mr. Cote stated that one option is to not close Riverhouse. He stated that he offered to send some Lifebridge staff there in order to keep it held together until funding can be found. He noted that Lifebridge is willing to absorb the Riverhouse as part of Lifebridge. He suggested that Chief Tucker, Chief Ray, Lifebridge and the Salem Police Departments’ Community Impact Unit meet (CIU).
Sgt. King stated that, over the next few months, there may be more complaints coming from Ms. Bell and the downtown businesses once Riverhouse closes.
Mr. Cote stated that they have seen a drop in the number of homeless persons in the downtown, due to the CIU’s efforts and Lifebridge’s strict policies.
Sgt. Rocheville agreed and noted that persons who are not willing to abide by the rules are encouraged not to remain in Salem.
Sgt. King noted that, over the years, most complaints are with regard to the same two or three people, and that many policies have been created in response to the actions of just two or three people.
Ms. Guy agreed, noting that every five years or so, it is just a different two or three people.
Sgt. King stated that at any time the train could drop off a couple of new individuals.
Mr. Cote stated that Lifebridge needs a vehicle to provide transportation for individuals to detox, hospital and to provide other services.
Sgt. Rocheville stated that it may be possible for the city to donate a surplus fleet car or a vehicle that was seized.
Sgt. King noted that there have been a lot of calls for problems at the MBTA lot and the area where the crane is located. He asked that the street worker’s boundary be adjusted.
Ms. Guy stated that the worker should be able to adjust his “patrol” as needed to address problem areas.
Mr. Cote stated that one of the street worker’s, Felix Colon, has recently given his notice. He stated that with the decrease in the number of the street worker’s hours, they would like to amend the city’s grant to focus some of the remaining funds toward a vehicle.
Sgt. Rocheville suggested sending out a blanket email to all the businesses regarding the Riverhouse closing.
Mr. Cote stated that he will talk to Rinus Oosthoek at the Salem Chamber of Commerce in that regard.
Mr. Cote made a motion to approve the minutes of 7/21/10, 9/15/10, 4/20/11, 7/20/11 and 9/21/11. Sgt. King seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
The next meeting will be July 18, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
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