FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com FEBRUARY 12, 2015 • THE COURIER SUN 11 State lawmakers’ report fi nds sex offenders living in family shelters BY SALVATORE LICATA slicata@queenscourier.com/@Sal_Licata1 Almost a dozen sex offenders are currently residing in family homeless shelters across New York City, including three in Queens shelters, according to a new report by members of the state Senate. The report comes on the heels of the discovery this week of another sex offender who was living in the Westway family shelter in East Elmhurst. He was moved out of the facility quickly on Thursday after local offi cials and residents complained to the city. “Clearly these miscreants who have harmed children should never be allowed into family shelters. The city must protect our most vulnerable by ensuring shelters are safe and not create more horrifying and stressful situations when families are trying to reshape their lives,” said state Senator Leroy Comrie during a press conference Friday outside the Lincoln Atlantic homeless shelter for families at 90-35 Van Wyck Expy. Comrie joined state Sen. Jeff Klein of the Bronx, who conducted the report detailing instances of sex offenders being housed in family shelters over the past seven years. Klein proposed legislation passed by the Senate to bar such placements. Comrie, Klein and state Sen. James Sanders called on the state Assembly on Feb. 6 to pass similar legislation. City offi cials have already proposed changes to prevent the future placement of level 2 or 3 sex offenders in shelters housing families with children and, instead, divert them to the single adult shelter system. “DHS takes safety concerns in its shelters very seriously and, within its legal obligation to provide shelter to anyone in need, is moving forward with proposed policy changes regarding sex offenders in shelters housing families with children.” If the bill is passed in the Assembly and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, it would prohibit level 2 and level 3 sex offenders from being housed in family shelters and would require, by law, that they be placed in adults-only shelters or shelters without children. Klein said the city could face cuts in state funding for homeless services if it did not comply with the legislation, should it be passed by the Assembly and signed by the governor. Along with the Lincoln Atlantic shelter in Queens, the other two family homeless shelters that house a sexual predator according to the Senate report, are Park Family Residence and Belt Park Family Center, both in Jamaica. If the bill is passed in the Assembly and signed by Cuomo, it would prohibit level 2 and level 3 sex offenders from being housed in family shelters and would require, by law, that they be placed in adults-only shelters or shelters without children. Klein said the city could face cuts in state funding for homeless services if it did not comply with the legislation, should it be passed by the Assembly and signed by the governor. Great rates like ours are always in season. 12-Month CD 1.05%APY* At Flushing Bank, we’re small enough to know you and large enough to provide you with the great rates you’re looking for. Hurry, an offer like this can’t last forever. For more information and to find out about our other great offers, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. $5,000 minimum deposit *New money only. APY effective February 9, 2015. Annual percentage yield assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for a full year at current rate. Minimum deposit balance of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing Flushing Bank account. Premature withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata
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