WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. January 10, 2005 UPDATED 4:50 p.m. E.S.T. UPDATED 5:55 P.M. E.S.T.: Susan Tolchin of the Westchester County Department of Communications confirmed at 5 P.M. today that the homeless persons who gather at Quarropas and South Lexington nightly to be taken to county-provided shelter for years, will be driven by bus tonight a short hop across town to 85 Court Street to be housed in the basement of the Department of Social Services.

The Mayor's Office stated today the city has no plans to interdict the transfer and would accept it. In a new development, the White Plains Department of Public Safety reports to WPCNR the department has not conducted a safety inspection of the 85 Court Street premises, because the building is under Westchester County jurisdiction.

Ms. Tolchin told WPCNR this eveing, that Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Thomas Belfiore had inspected the premises, and that the County Fire Marshall had also cleared the 85 Court location as conforming to safety codes. She added that Mr. Belfiore had also met with the White Plains Department of Public Safety to discuss the plan  and that the White Plains Police  had no problem with any safety issues.

No Grand Opening of the 85 Court Street facility is planned, Donna Greene of the County said, "we don't usually do that."

The county did hold a news conference and tour of the new Valhalla Homeless Shelter on the Grasslands campus two weeks ago to introduce that new facility. The hardcore homeless found in White Plains, since they have refused county services, are excluded from the Grasslands facility, which is why they are being relegated to the Court Street location. The Court Street "base" was chosen, according to the County so they would be closer to "county services" and be more encouraged to come into the system and seek help.  

It could not be determined if County Executive Andy Spano who decided on housing the homeless at 85 Court Street (because according to the Department of Communications the Airport Shelter is "dilapidated,"),  was going to make an appearance at the 85 Court Street shelter tonight on its first night to welcome the homeless in and encourage their participation in getting county help. 

David Maloney of the Mayor's Office said the city has no plans to interfere with the 2-block transfer of the homeless. He said the police would not prevent the homeless from entering the building and there are to Mr. Maloney's knowledge, no plans by the county to make a last minute change in the venue.("You'll have to ask the county," were his words.)

Asked if the city was planning a "Grand Opening," of the 85 Court Street to make the homeless feel "at home" and whether Mayor Joseph Delfino planned to be onhand when the homeless arrived at 85 Court Street to welcome them, Mr. Maloney said, "No. The Mayor will not be there."

Mr. Maloney said in response to the county challenge in today's media that the Mayor find another location within White Plains, and did not, Maloney stated, "The Mayor is not going to supply an alternate place. That is up to the county. They're just dictating to us."

Asked if the basement of 85 Court Street was up to code (occupancy, sprinklers, bathrooms, etc.), Maloney said the issue of code compliance was up to the county to decide "because they have jurisdiction over us. I don't know whether it is (up to code)." 

The White Plains Department of Public Safety, according to the County  Department of Communications, has "signed off" on the safety of the 85 Court Street location with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.

Inspector Daniel Jackson of the White Plains Department of Public Safety clarified the "safety issue" this afternoon, issuing a statement on the safety of the premises:

With reference to your recent posting which states "The White Plains Department of Public Safety, according to the County has "signed off" on the safety of the 85 Court Street location." The White Plains Department of Public Safety has not conducted a safety inspection of the 85 Court Street Drop-in Shelter. Federal, State, and County buildings do not fall under the jurisdiction of the local municipal codes and are not inspected by local authorities.