I would like very much to stay on topic to clarify and extrapolate viable points about CSP-NJ and put into perspective my concerns about Hackensack. First off, there is nothing more moving than a wake-up call akin to an artillery shell going off in close proximity to your camp. You realize the gun that fired it should be stopped or commandeered because it is about to be fortified and backed up with night drop of supplies and fresh troops. It's not longer about Lower or Upper Main Street, North or South Ward. It is about the entire city and it's fragile condition at the very bottom of the economy. It is about the stigma Hackensack has throughout the county, and whole ethnic grous capable of revitalizing or adding to an economy.
I am not at odds with the Homeless, substance abusers, mentally ill, or CSP-NJ. I am at odds with the CSP-NJ system and their services and capabilities. I am also at odds with people who refuse to understand my points. The main point and other stand out points, should be self-evident.
While the provisions below are intended for public safety, they are also of use for counseling purposes so that their history and progress could be gauged and better served.
Also, while notice requirements for change of use, are to the property owners within 200 feet of the site, in cases which bring groups of individuals that can impact on the community, especially something of this nature; where, a wide mix of individuals with histories of crime, drug abuse, and unspecified degrees/severity of mental illness may/exist; there should be a more thorough descriptive of the type of clientele they will attract.
CSP-NJ should produce a chart using anonymous data that discloses what the degree and percentage of individuals have been; involved; effected; committed; convicted; of what illnesses or offenses, when. This information should be provided to the local authorities where the client (not anonymous) input data is verified with state. Then the anonymous statistics must be released to the community by way of owners and all tenants/mailing addresses, at the expense of the applicant - to all businesses and households within a 1000 foot radius, and should also be published in a public notice.
The community should have the right to speak their concerns and such concerns should be a higher consideration than what is allowed by Zoning/Planning law. The intent of any law is for the benefit of the public at large.
So what is the problem with CSP-NJ
1) CSP-NJ does not document their contacts by backing up their appointments and applications by requiring information which should include:
(a.) Positive Identification and information exchange - with a reporting to local, county, and state database, fopr crosschecking and current alerts.
(b.) disclosure of other programs they may have been involved in - to complete data base cross records, and to track the progress of an individual
(c.) an interview where an applicant must disclose the nature of their disability, crime, if they are on Megan's List, to denote the character and truthfulness of the individual, and to aid in providing information valuable to local and state data records.
(d) Taking a photo I.D. of all applicants to upgrade state database and provide local authorities a means by which to help identify one of their clients should they be hospitalized, the victim of a crime, or a perpetrator of a crime.
(3) Acquire a list of last legal addresses from each applicant to better keep taxpayher dollare working for individuals who actually live in the communities they are sweeing services, and housing.
4) CSP-NJ should only distribute information about any given facility, theirs or others' to local facilities.
5) The establishment of a group home by CSP-NJ's sister company, or any entity must be put before a zoning/Planing board and all residents within a 1000 foot radius must be notified by return receipt certified mail.
6) Require a handicap ramp access to any building and 40-inch doors so that the handicapped may have equal access.
7) Conduct a review of traffic patterns, devices, part of a thorough safety net to ensure that the site location is not a potential hazard for pedestrians and motorists.
The city of Hackensack should require an annual license and uphold these requirements (1-7) for any non-governmental, or non-medically certified entity; and that license and such requirements must be applied to any new or existing entities of this nature.
This is not an attack non the civil liberties, nor it is a negative stigmatization of the wide array of persons to be classified as mentally ill by SAMSHA.
This is a method of preservation for the civil liberties of home and business owners; an aid to Mental Health Facilities; Law Enforcement; and a quality device for the very clients that CSP-NJ hopes to help rehabilitate.
