WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 19, 2006: Approximately 40 homeless persons were transferred from the city pickup point at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Quarropas Streets Wednesday evening. Three vans arrived at 10:33 P.M. in 35 degree temperatures with homeless waiting about 45 minutes. The first 30 persons were loaded by 10:40 P.M. and arrived at 85 Court Street at 10:50. One of the vans returned to the pickup point to pick up stragglers at 10:50, and they were driven to 85 Court by 11:00 P.M. Though transfer is more efficient by WPCNR observation, the vans have been late every night the process has been in effect, nine straight days.

Approximately 25 were waiting at the usual place at 9:50 P.M. E.S.T. Photo, WPCNR News

For the second night in a row, passengers were allowed to disembark the vehicles at the compound gate and walk in, without vans backing down the loading dock alley. No Westchester County Police were on the scene. White Plains Police routinely trolled by on regular patrol up Quarropas and down Court Street around 10 P.M. and 10:15 P.M.

Knowledgeable sources at the Department of Social Services have told WPCNR the ground floor where the homeless stay is the DSS conference room, wood-paneled, carpeted, and is a large room. Bathrooms contain approximately 4 toilets for the 40 or so population. No medical personnel staff the overnight Drop-In Shelter, but if any homeless person suffers a medical problem, they will be taken to the White Plains Hospital Emergency Room. Sources described the nightly guests of the county as sad, forlorn persons, well-behaved, and they appeared to be businesslike and cooperative as they left vans to walk into their overnight home last night.

In contrast, the Westchester County Emergency Shelter set up Wednesday afternoon on the ground floor of the Westchester County Center, received no overnight guests. A decision will be made this morning by the County as to whether the county reopens the temporary County Center Shelter for storm victims whose electricity is out because of the storm.