PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Timothy Pena, Founder of Veterans Justice Project
2:10:48
ยท
123 sec
Timothy Pena, founder of Veterans Justice Project, shared insights from his experience working with homeless veterans and participating in the recent point-in-time homeless count. He highlighted concerns about the safety of shelters and their impact on street homelessness.
- Emphasized the dangerous conditions in shelters, particularly noting his experience at Borden Avenue Shelter
- Expressed concern that fear of violent shelters is driving people to stay on the streets and in subways
- Noted the challenges faced by NYPD in dealing with these issues
Timothy Pena
2:10:48
I'll go.
2:10:50
My name is Timothy Pena.
2:10:51
I run an organization called Veterans Justice Project.
2:10:56
I work with, justice involved and homeless veterans.
2:11:00
I've been here for about, two and a half years.
2:11:04
And this is a little off topic from 9:11, but, I participated in the, point in time, homeless count last night or early this morning.
2:11:16
There were some questions raised, Chair Brewer, where you were talking about, engagements with mental health, and homeless with NYPD.
2:11:29
So I came from Phoenix.
2:11:31
Phoenix has a much higher crime rate than does, New York City.
2:11:38
In addition, Phoenix is one of the only cities that purges their Brady violations, from, officers' records who have been accused of misconduct.
2:11:50
I spent, 5 months in Borden Avenue Shelter, which is the veteran's shelter here in New York City.
2:11:58
I anticipated a veterans affairs program, federally funded by VA and congress and instead I got a, violent drug infested shelter.
2:12:13
One of the things that I've noticed and in speaking this morning to residents, during the hope walk survey was that, people are on the streets because they're afraid of the shelters.
2:12:28
And what I observed and have been told that the shelters are so dangerous and so violent with no oversight, no accountability by shelter staff and security that they take those problems out onto the streets and into the subways.
2:12:48
I feel for NYPD having to deal with this.
Julienne Jack
2:12:52
Okay.