Schumer, Maffei Urge Feds to Keep Halfway House Out of Tipperary Hill Neighborhood

Press Release

Today, at the Syracuse Boys and Girls Club on Hamilton Street, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined with U.S. Representative Dan Maffei as they urged the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to keep a new, proposed halfway house out of the residential Tipperary Hill neighborhood. Schumer and Maffei explained that there is currently a halfway house located in an appropriate, non-residential neighborhood on Erie Boulevard, but its contract has expired and the BOP has received at least two proposals to provide residential re-entry services -- including one to maintain the status quo and keep the halfway house on Erie Boulevard, and another to place a new halfway house just 500 feet from a Boys and Girls Club and near two elementary schools in Tipp Hill. Schumer and Maffei said that placing a halfway house in the middle of a residential neighborhood and so close to schools and a major youth organization is inappropriate, and they are urging the BOP to listen to community concerns and keep the site where it is, in a non-residential neighborhood.

"A residential neighborhood like Tipperary Hill is no place for a halfway house, especially when the proposed site is just 500 feet from a Boys & Girls Club and down the street from two elementary schools," said Schumer. "The current halfway house on Erie Boulevard, in a non-residential neighborhood, has been operating for years, and as the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Re-entry services play an important role in society, but there is no reason why a halfway house needs to be relocated into people's backyards. I am urging the federal Bureau of Prisons to keep the halfway house right where it is and not move it to a community that vehemently opposes it."

"Tipp Hill is a close-knit community where more and more families and business are moving and long-standing residents take pride in their community," said Rep. Maffei. "The community has been loud and clear in opposing a new halfway house that would be within 500 feet of a Boys and Girls Club, a church, two elementary schools, and after school programs. I'll continue to fight against this misguided proposal and push the federal Bureau of Prisons to keep the halfway house in its current location on Erie Boulevard and out of Tipp Hill."

"I am proud to join Mayor Miner, Senator Schumer and Representative Maffei in putting the BOP on advance notice to pay close attention to any proposal seeking to establish a halfway house in Tipp Hill," said Councilor At-Large Pam Hunter. "It doesn't make sense to displace a working operation along Erie Blvd and it doesn't make sense to locate near schools or our Boys and Girls Club. I will continue to work with officials in making the case against this unfit location."

"Keeping the Tipp Hill neighborhood vibrant, safe, and family friendly is a top priority," said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. "The BOP needs to know they should not open a halfway house with federal inmates in the middle of a small and unique neighborhood. I appreciate the work of our federal delegation to support Syracuse neighborhoods."

Schumer and Maffei explained that community concerns have mounted over a proposed new halfway house that would be located in the residential Tipperary Hill neighborhood. Syracuse's current halfway house is located on Erie Boulevard, in a commercial district, and is operated by a not-for-profit called Firetree. Firetree's contract to operate the halfway house is set to expire, however, and the BOP was required by law to open up an RFP process to provide residential re-entry services for male and female federal offenders held under the authority of United States located within the Syracuse city limits. Schumer and Maffei said that this RFP stipulates that the provider come up with a community relations plan and that the site cannot be located near schools.

At present, Schumer and Maffei explained, the BOP has received at least two proposals that would provide these re-entry services in Syracuse. The first was from the current operator, Firetree, which has been providing these re-entry services for years and would keep the halfway house where it is, in a non-residential neighborhood. The second bid was from a Boston-based non-profit, Community Resources for Justice, which has proposed placing a new halfway house at 1836 West Fayette Street, just 500 feet from a Boys and Girls Club and in close proximity to two elementary schools in the Tipp Hill neighborhood, Porter and All Saints. Schumer and Maffei said this proposed Tipp Hill site would not only go against the neighborhoods' wishes but break the BOP rule stating that such a re-entry facility cannot be located near a school.

Furthermore, the City of Syracuse's local businesses and government have invested millions of dollars into the Tipp Hill neighborhood to ensure it is welcoming to both families and businesses; this halfway house would negatively impact that effort. While Schumer and Maffei recognize and understand the importance these programs have in local communities, they said the location of this new halfway house is short-sighted due to its proximity to schools and the sensitive nature of the services it provides. Schumer and Maffei also noted that there is no evidence a new facility is needed and said there is no reason to vacate the one in a non-residential neighborhood.

Schumer and Maffei stated that many residents in Tipp Hill are opposed to bringing a halfway house into their historic neighborhood, particularly when one considers the fact that Firetree's current location on Erie Boulevard has been functioning for years. That is why Schumer and Maffei are urging the BOP to keep the halfway house where it currently is and not select any bids that would move the halfway house from its current location into Tipperary Hill.

Schumer and Maffei were joined by Syracuse Common Councilors, including Councilor-At-Large Pam Hunter; various Onondaga County Legislators; the Boys and Girls Club Board Chair Katie Centolella, along with several Boys and Girls Club staff; as well as representatives from the Tipp Hill Neighborhood Association.

Schumer and Maffei co-wrote a letter to Charles Samuels, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to weigh in on this issue; and Maffei wrote a different letter to Director Samuels earlier in the month.

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