Homework - A homeless shelter in the Bronx has become a haven for sex offenders

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video.


Story:


The Bronx (1/4/2011) - A homeless shelter at the old Stadium Motel on Sedgwick Avenue is making the community mad. Activists say the Department of Homeless Services switched it from a women and children's facility to one for men only. Now registered sex offenders are staying there.


"Our position is the level two and three sex offenders, the men with disabilities, the fact that they are roaming throughout this community, hanging out in public parks, hanging out in streets, they are violating their curfews, being in hallways, looking in windows, cat calling at the women in this community. This is unacceptable," said Ernesto Maldonado Citizens Activist Network.


The Department of Homeless Services or DHS says the site has been a homeless facility for 15 years. Residents say they didn't have a problem with it until this past October when it was suddenly switched to a men's shelter operated by a private company called Promesa. Community activists say they found at least 5 high level sex offenders are staying there.


"I'm the one that went into the school and put up a flyer -- be aware that there are men moving in the neighborhood, you will see them. Be aware of where your children are and were they walk. That should have been Promesa's job, that should have been DHS' job," said Community Activist Agnes Johnson.


In a statement, DHS said they put the men there because they need homes.


City Councilwoman Helen Foster, who represents this area, says she found out about the men's shelter after the women and children were moved out and the men were already being housed there.


"It really has been an attitude, well, we're putting them there and you better take it. And we're saying we're not gonna take it," Foster said.


DHS points out that there is security at the facility and it is next door to a police station house. But community leaders say the men walk around the neighborhood especially when they miss their curfew and can't get into the building.




Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. Why is the community upset?
4. How many sex offenders are housed there?
5. Why did the DHS put the men there?
6. Do you think the community is right to be mad? Why or why not?


Info from NY1. Pic from the washingtoncitypaper.com