I have moved, and I am going to change the original post, that was in this current post. I have edited this post with a simple comprehensive reply. The material in this post will be ongoing. Therefore I am asking Regina to carefully read and consider and hold her reply until this post is marked with. "END POST"
My wholehearted and honest intent will place facts, along with reasonable opinion with the concerns for all Hackensack residents, along with equal consideration for the mentally, and emotionally challenged. I have not intentionally blamed CSP-NJ as directly responsible. I mean to say there are consequences that our community has suffered indirectly, and may suffer further still. I will not be sidetracked by emotional response due in part to mis-understanding. In the interest of the continued growth of Hackensack, a positive and fair image, and the safety of all our neighborhoods, I will respond factually and objectively; any conjecture will be balanced, and well within the realm of higher reasoning in reality. Above all, I will be truthful. All said in a much more simple, and carefully constructed reply. This is an important issue, and I do not want to make any mistakes, or be steered by my own poor choice of words, run-on sentences, etc. Moreover, I have and will not resort, to nor tolerate inflamed emotional responses, accusations, and baseless contradictions.
It is crucial for all Citizens of Hackensack and Business Owners alike, to be aware of the following facts: “Homeless” are invariably greater than 99% from the ranks of: Mental Outpatients, “Recovering” Substance Abusers, and Paroled Prisoners. Most “Homeless are not homeless but are sheltered in a variety of means (More on that later).
1) FACT: CSP-NJ has had a presence on Main Street in Hackensack since 1988.
(b) Subjective Fact: Records will show that the “Homeless” problem in various areas of Hackensack made a noticeable, gradual, yet sporadic incline since 1989.The incline reduced and subsided into to a decline when the county installed the new facility for Mental Outpatients, “Recovering” Substance Abusers, and Paroled Prisoners.
(c) Observation: It is reasonable to agree, that while some of the presence of undesirable persons in Hackensack may be due to issues other than CSP-NJ advertising State and County, as well as private help centers located in Hackensack and a list of locations throughout the state, it is reasonable to draw a conclusion that CSP-NJ has contributed to the incline of influx by their advertisement, and have created a "transient effect" of people moving from county to county in the cities where CSP-NJ hopes to gain and enlarge grant money by the number of people they serve, regardless if they are served or drop out of the program, or kicked out, they are also free to stay in the city and take up residence just about anywhere, or nowhere.
2) FACT: CSP-NJ stands for Collaborative Suppoprt Programs of New Jersey, which is not a Government agency or licensed treatment facility. It is also not a licensed “Vocational Training Center” which it leads the public to believe.
3) FACT: Because CSP-NJ is not a government agency, it is not REQUIRED to operate within the guidelines and standards like those operated from the State of New Jersey, County of Bergen, or any licensed facility. By that CSP-NJ is not required, and also testified through their representative that CSP-NJ does not check medical or criminal records. Nor do they have that ability.
4) Conjecture: It is reasonable to believe that CSPNJ does not require or cross check identification, and that apart from federal or state housing applications, false or inadequate identification can be submitted by someone from any place in New Jersey, or the US, if identification is required at all.
5) FACT: Note also that Irene Sanborn testified on behalf of CSP-NJ “...we don't ask about criminal or medical records... ..clients are free to go to an from any location (In Jersey)..” This include the state and private aid resources that CSP-NJ issues to Drug Treatment Centers, Probation Offices, Mental Hospitals, Homeless Shelters, eta al. And, those type locations of CSP-NJ Flier Distribution were included in testimony on July 13th.
6) FACT: The location of CSP-NJ at 179 Main Street does not have Handicap Access, and neither does 1 Essex Street. 1 Essex Street does have the capability to expand their operation while 179 Main Street does not. Reasonable to assume that any number of collaborative agencies can either splinter off CSP-NJ like their sister agency that builds and creates group housing for their clientele. Similar programs can join CSP-NJ as a neighbor in a similarly unregulated facility; in that location on the third or first floor.
7) FACT: CSP-NJ can avert the "NO Rooming House 'Law"' ANYWHERE -- AND in Hackensack, by converting any single or multi-family dwelling into a Group Home. Group Homes can share kitchen and bath facilities; criminal and drug convictions must be considered equally under the law in a group home or housing applications. Most CSP-NJ clients do not drive and "Walk" to CSP-NJ. Many have found their way to Hackensack through CSP-NJ. Some of them are active alcoholics, panhandlers, drug abusers, and many have ho intent on changing their pattern of chemical or public service dependency.
8 ) FACT: The South Ward, from a few blocks North of the Essex Street Line, West to Green Street, and South to Lodi Street, contains perhaps the largest most densely populated ratio of children to parent that live in a functional family setting; per household to square foot. While some of our business and civic leaders may refer to the 20% of "Those Dominicans" as having a negative impact on the city, might I remind you that I have been living among Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Equadorians, Salvadorians, Mexicans, etc... and while many of this ethnic group may be slandered and wrongfully stereo-typed, I stand firm that my Hackensack Hispanic neighbors are among the most respectful, hardworking family oriented, God-fearing individuals of any other ethnic group in this city. We are fortunate here to have such people and they deserve to be informed as to the exact nature and negative capabilities this center may have upon their neighborhood.
9) FACT: I informed Irene Sanborn there are two child day care & nursery centers within one block of the rear lot of 1 Essex Street. I asked if CSP-NJ screens their clientele for history and tendency of pedophilia, whereby their CSP-NJ attorney protested and objected to the line of questioning. Kids play in the streets, they play behind 1 Essex Street and in the grass lot next door. What about their civil liberties?
10) FACT: I was falsely arrested in Hackensack in 2005 for protesting in my front yard and being vocal against city policy, for not providing services in the way of a Park for these neighborhood children. While I did cross the line of comfort on the critique of 'the city fathers' and some of their enforcement practices, I did not deserve to be treated in such a manor. While I did have the grounds and finances to launch a multi-million dollar lawsuit, I refrained from such an action, citing to myself; family loyalty, loyalty to Hackensack, and understanding that my past service has provided a degree of wisdom. A service that which I am not encouraged to speak about from 1972 till 1975, at first requiring parental consent, then a volunteer duty by the signature of my own hand. I am proud of my service and one day I'll write on it if I may. Knowing that we all suffer from mental and emotional imperfections I am more sensitive to the needs of every aspect of mental illness, but I am a believer or order and effectiveness in dealing with the problems as specialty needs which require compartmentalization. I have real experience serving within the mental health community in both wartime under a strategic command as a paid volunteer, and in peace time as a volunteer. So I knew that my actions and methods could have been much more diplomatic and Christ-centered. And yes, to me church and state go hand in hand. That's why we say God Bless America. As for my service and experience in the mental health field; they include teaching instrumental music since leaving music college in 1981. My services included for handicapped, as in blind, wheelchair bound; and various mentally ill students including, but not limited to those with one or more problems; like Autism, ADD; Dyslexia; Cerebral Palsy, and other 'disorders.' While I do agree that Mental Health 'disorders are inclusive of Substance Abuse and Criminal Behavior, I do NOT AGREE that because (SAMSHA) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, classifies them all as mental illnesses, they are the same, and we must be politically correct to where we must tolerate irresponsibility to the degree that it effects or community in a negative way. De-stigmatizing mental illness does not mean we should not employ common sense checks and balances.
b) OPINION: CSP-NJ's imposing their irresponsible criteria for running 'On Our Own' has resulted in stigmatic consequences being further applied or perceived across a wide spectrum of unfortunate individuals. Due to their policies, we as a city have been subject to dealing with the residual overflow of their advertising method resulting more undesirable transient and resident BUMS and a few individuals who may prove to be not ready for society, and may even commit unspeakable acts. Let's stop using using "Mentally Ill" as a protectionary phrase to whitewash the facts. While paying their Administration high pay, they use untrained volunteers and do not even provide a facility with handicap access. Encouraging their clients (if only by listing of services and word of mouth) to transfer administrative and taxpayer burdens from one county to the next and not conducting are caring about the impact on our community. Certainly not by cooperating within the system and allowing the Counties' agencies to be apprised and/or approve of such transfers.
More to follow in this post.
