County leaders unite to take on homelessness

Nassau County leaders are working together to deal with a problem that’s affecting East Meadow, the state and the entire nation: homelessness.

County Legislator Norma Gonsalves, an East Meadowite herself, said she has received calls from residents who are concerned about homeless people congregating in commercial areas and parks. In order to ease their fears and help the homeless as well, Gonsalves formed a special detail of police officers and leaders within the county Department of Social Services.

Dr. John Imhof, the DSS commissioner, Inspector John Berry, of the 3rd Precinct, and Inspector Daniel Flanagan, of the 1st Precinct, are working directly with Gonsalves and her staff on the issue. Flanagan noted that police often get calls from shoppers at stores on Hempstead Turnpike, in addition to occasional reports from people visiting Eisenhower Park, about homeless people in the area.

Gonsalves said that community members might be suspicious of and intimidated by homeless people, in addition to thinking that a rising homeless population could negatively impact the neighborhood’s reputation. “I understand why they feel that way, but if they’re not committing any crimes, there’s really nothing we can do except encourage them to seek help,” she said. “We’re not turning a blind eye to the problem. We’re trying to do whatever we can within the law to allay the fears of the community.”

Flanagan explained that police have received 911 calls reporting homeless people accosting shoppers outside of stores likes Walmart, Stop and Shop and Home Depot. But as long as business owners don’t report the homeless as trespassers and they don’t commit any crimes, they cannot be arrested.

“They might use that term” — accosted — “to describe any encounter, such as a situation in which the individual is begging for money,” Flanagan said. “This is not illegal. Some people also believe that homelessness is a crime. We’re trying to educate everyone and make sure they know that this is not the case.”