Some residents of Prospect-Lefferts Gardens are up in arms after the discovery that an unmarked building in the neighborhood is home to over a dozen violent sex offenders.
Located at 1785 Bedford Avenue, between Sterling Street and Lefferts Avenue, actually began housing sex offenders about two years ago, but neighbors say they were never notified, according to Brooklyn Brief.
However, the building’s landlord claims that all proper procedures were followed to establish the halfway house.
“1785 Bedford Avenue between Sterling Street and Lefferts Avenue is a half way house for VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Richard Hurley, a lawyer and local community leader, wrote in an e-mail newsletter
Most locals learned of the facility at a 71st Precinct Community Council meeting Thursday evening.
“Someone asked if there were sex offenders at 1785 Bedford Avenue and the response was that it was a homeless shelter,” said Carmen Martinez, president of the Sterling Street B&W Block Association. “I therefore felt compelled to clarify that it was not a homeless shelter, but a half-way house for violent sex offenders.”
Currently about 16 sex offender reside at the property.
“It’s crazy, there are so many kids around here,” said Cheryl Kelly, who lives nearby. “What can we do now? You can’t shame them out of existence. And I get that these people have to live somewhere, but the fact that we weren’t notified at the outset is wrong.” [Brooklyn Brief] – Christopher Cameron