PHOTO: City Councilman Ruben Wills has reported that all sex offenders have been removed from the Skyway Men’s Shelter, which is less than 1,000 feet from PS/MS 124. File Photo
The city Department of Homeless Services has removed all Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from Skyway Men’s Shelter in South Ozone Park, according to City Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica).
“Due to the diligence and support of this community board, we can report that as of last week, every sex offender has been moved,” Wills announced last Thursday at CB 10’s monthly meeting, eliciting applause and cheers from members and spectators.
In July, Wills’ office revealed that the actual distance between nearby PS/MS 124 and Skyway is less than 1,000 feet. State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision determined the shelter was not in compliance with state restrictions, and DHS told The Forum “We are working to transfer those residents to sites that are compliant.”
However, Wills said that in the weeks that followed the agency’s pledge only four of the shelter’s 52 sex offenders were relocated from Skyway to other facilities; whereas an equal number of newly placed sex offenders took up residence at the shelter in that same period, including two with special conditions restricting unsupervised contact with young children.
“I am pleased to report that sex offenders are no longer being housed at the Skyway Men’s Shelter,” Wills said on Wednesday. “DHS has assured my office it will act more cautiously to ensure compliance with the state’s guidelines when sheltering such individuals, and I thank the department for its cooperation. This outcome would not have been possible without the leadership and advocacy of our PTA at PS/MS 124, Community Board 10, and South Ozone Park Civic Association West. I especially want to commend the NYPD’s 106th Precinct for its steadfast efforts to keep our children safe.”
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
