Highbridge News: There is a Homeless Problem

Highbridge News: There is a Homeless Problem: Mayor Finally Admits: There is Homeless Problem City Acknowledges New Homeless Taskforce By David Greene BRONX, NEW YOR...

There is a Homeless Problem

Mayor Finally Admits:

There is Homeless Problem

City Acknowledges New Homeless Taskforce

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The half dozen homeless people who sleep on park benches along Jerome Avenue, near East Gun Hill Road in Norwood were unaware when asked about the city's new homeless outreach program, acknowledged by city officials nearly three-weeks after the program quietly began.

The city has so far identified 80 homeless encampments across the five boroughs and has begun to dismantle them, as trained professionals from nine city agencies attempt to assist some of the homeless who have apparently refused the city's invitation at city-run shelters.

The City of New York estimates that 56,000 individuals are currently homeless and being housed in city shelters throughout the five boroughs. An additional 3,000 are living on the city streets and the new program that began on August 17, is seeking to reduce that number.

Jerome Avenue was not identified as an encampment because the closely-knit group has built no structures, and those who sleep there do so in the daytime, when families gather inside of Van Cortlandt Park, when they say they feel safest.

They speak of a need to sleep in the daytime, in order to stay awake at night, so they can protect themselves and each other from attack or theft of the few belongings they still have.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton recently said of the current situation, "The laws have changed in the last 20 years, when I was here the last time (and) the tools I had to work with," adding that panhandling is no longer considered a crime.

The NYPD's Chief of Patrol, Carlos Gomez, explained that when a unit goes to dismantle an encampment, members of the NYPD, EMS, Homeless Services, Sanitation, Parks, Transportation, Housing, Environmental Protection and the city's Legal Department will also be on hand to provide whatever assistance they can.

Gomez added, "Offering outreach and services is the main thrust, the main goal of this plan."

City officials also revealed that since the program was implemented, 161 homeless people were taken off the street and offered shelter and other services. However, only 10 individuals took the city up on its offer--with the rest apparently headed back into the streets.

"Mohammad" a homeless man who has called the park benches along Jerome Avenue home for the last three-months, recalled trying a city shelter, explaining, "I tried the shelter on Third Avenue, but it wasn't safe. And I feel like Norwood has become my home."

Speaking on his weekly radio program on WNYC on September 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio said of the crisis, "Clearly the numbers of folks in shelters shot up after 2011 and have remained very high, they would have gotten a lot higher, but for the efforts of a lot of people in this administration."

A day earlier Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, who was in charge with handling the current homeless crisis, stepped down from her $222,000 a year post to become chairwoman of the Health and Hospitals Corporation, an unpaid position. De Blasio denied Paoli had been demoted, insisting her stepping down was a "personal decision."

Meanwhile, the de Blasio Administration has reached out to local churches and synagogues seeking 500 'Safe Haven' beds that would be incorporated into the city's "Opening Doors" program.  The city currently has more than 680 such beds that have fewer restrictions than a traditional shelter.

The city currently has $19.5 million allocated for the Safe Haven program and an additional $15.7 for the outreach program for the fiscal year 2016.   

#Homeless #deBlasio

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Highbridge News: Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee...: Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee Win over #Mets in Final Subway Series Game By Howard Goldin QUEENS, NEW YORK (SP...

Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee Win over #Mets in Final Subway Series Game

Early Pitchers’ Duel Ends with a One‐sided #Yankee Win over #Mets in Final Subway Series Game

By Howard Goldin

QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- As they had in the three game Subway Series in April, the Yankees again captured the September version two games to one. As was predicted by many, the three important contests were sold out and a playoff atmosphere was felt throughout the ballpark. Many fans were attired in Yankees pinstripes or the orange and blue of the Mets. Many chanted and cheered for their respective favorite team while traveling on the #7 train or walking toward Citi Field.

The fans of both teams were treated to a true pitchers’ duel for the first five innings. Yankees veteran hurler CC Sabathia, 35, ran into trouble immediately as the first two Mets batters, Ruben Tejada and David Wright doubled. Wright’s double drove in the first and only run Sabathia yielded. He also walked two batters in that frame, but surrendered no additional runs and only three isolated hits in the next five innings he pitched to earn his fifth win of the season.

Sabathia has held opposition batters to a .190 average since his return from the disabled list. He expressed his pleasure since coming back, “To be able to help the team out and try to get wins, just to be healthy enough first of all and to be able to go out and do it, it feels good.”

Mets starter Matt Harvey, 26, was nearly unhittable during his five inning stint. He blanked the Yanks, giving up only an infield single to Brett Gardner in the third. He fanned seven of the 15 Yankees who were retired, throwing 51 strikes of his 77 pitches.

Despite his superlative pitching, as had happened several times previously this season, Harvey was the subject of controversy. After the 11‐2 defeat by the Yankees, many reporters questioned Mets skipper Terry Collins and Harvey regarding the reasons for Harvey’s early departure.

The veteran baseball manager appeared uncomfortable with the situation. He stated Harvey’s removal should not have been a surprise as “everybody knew Matt was going out early’ and was based on pitch count and preparation for the post‐season. It was the second straight start in which Harvey threw 77 pitches or less.

After not having given up a run for the ninth time in his 27 starts, Harvey seemed defensive and stressed his desire to be on the mound, “I want to be out there and pitch for the Mets. The last thing I want to do, especially in a close game like that, is to come out. I’m going to be ready for my next start, whenever it is.” When Harvey will pitch again and for how many innings is not apparent.

Had the Mets pen men not totally faltered, there may have not been a controversy. The Yankees took complete advantage of the Mets secondary relievers, obtaining eight hits, drawing six walks and, most importantly, scoring 11 runs in the final four frames.

The meaningful win of the Yanks coupled again with a Toronto loss cut the Blue Jays American League East lead to 2.5 games. The Yankees, with increased confidence, now travel to Toronto for a crucial three game series before returning to Yankee Stadium on Thursday. The magic number of the Mets to clinch the national League East pennant still remains at eight.

Highbridge News: Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries

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