TESTIMONY
Member of the Public on Personal Experiences with Violence in Harlem Shelters and DHS Mismanagement
3:20:09
·
147 sec
A member of the public shares a troubling account of violence and issues with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).
- The speaker describes being assaulted in a Harlem shelter and the DHS's mishandling, including inappropriate placements in facilities for mentally ill persons despite not having mental illness or a drug problem.
- They detail a problematic fear hearing process with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), including receiving a scheduling notice after the hearing date and unaddressed issues with evidence packets.
- Concerns about shelter safety protocols are raised, including inadequate bag checks and the potential misuse of installed security cameras.
- The testifier expresses frustration with the lack of oversight and accountability from officials regarding the safety and welfare of shelter residents and the inefficacy of legal aid.
UNKNOWN
3:20:09
Mister Jalam, to walk you come out to you.
3:20:11
You you you represent Harlem.
3:20:13
Right?
3:20:14
So, basically, I've been in 2 shelters in Harlem.
3:20:17
I was assaulted in one of them on February 15th.
3:20:19
I took 6 punches in my head.
3:20:21
DHS keeps transferring me to shelters for that are for mentally ill people.
3:20:25
I don't have mental illness.
3:20:26
I don't have a drug problem.
3:20:28
I've never been convicted of of any crime.
3:20:30
So the point is you're the chairwoman of this committee.
3:20:32
What can you do to stop DHS from transferred people to known dangerous shelters.
3:20:39
After I was assaulted, I went to the hospital.
3:20:41
When I came back, my cell was still there.
3:20:43
He was still there the next day.
3:20:46
I have a fear hearing today against DHS assigned to OTDA.
3:20:50
There was supposed to be an earlier fear hearing on February 20th.
3:20:53
The problem is OTDA sent me the scheduling notice one day after the fear hearing was supposed to occur.
3:20:59
I talked to miss Parth who lied to your face while she testified today.
3:21:04
I asked her today how come I didn't get the evidence packet for today's hearing?
3:21:08
She totally ignored me.
3:21:10
I've testified to you previously about that specific issue.
3:21:14
I've also testified to you previously about the fact that HRA DHS won't let me in their doors to examine draft versions of proposed contract.
3:21:21
There was one this week involving legal aid.
3:21:25
So don't you think if I'm gonna have a fair hearing today?
3:21:27
It would be helpful if I knew.
3:21:30
What that contract would entail to find out.
3:21:32
When I was in the Bronx Housing Court, why a legal aid attorney told the the judge Sorry, but we're not gonna represent him because this isn't our day to do that.
3:21:42
So the point is you're funding all these organizations, but at the end of the day, there's no oversight you talked about.
3:21:47
Like X-ray machines.
3:21:49
The shelter at 55 West 110th Street by Central Park.
3:21:52
You walk in the door.
3:21:53
They didn't check my bag.
3:21:55
So I sarcastically asked them, how many guns do you think I could fit in that, like, medium sized duffled bag?
3:22:01
How many knives They did that on 3 or 4 occasions.
3:22:04
So you have video security cameras installed within the lobby.
3:22:07
If you issue subpoena against BRC, the operator of that shelter, you can get the video.
3:22:12
So again, I'm not gonna waste your time.
3:22:15
This testimony, your team recently asked to intervene in a case.
3:22:18
Judge Frank is be assigned judge to that case.
3:22:21
He's also the same judge assigned to my case against HRA.
3:22:24
So I'm going to ask judge Frank since when I come here to testify to you, I leave here and then I get 6 punches to my head only because people like you.
3:22:32
Basically, your position that you guys take towards me is to hell with you.
