Local advocates for the homeless have questions and concerns about a new mandate from Governor Cuomo.
The governor signed an executive order which goes into effect Tuesday.
It requires police and social service agencies statewide to take homeless individuals off the street and bring them to a shelter whenever the temperature reaches 32 degrees.
Mike Hennessey, executive director of the Open Door Mission, understands the concern but sees potential problems with the order.
"I guess I'm always concerned whenever there is a mandate, a forced shelter. If a police officer is going to go and find a gentleman or a lady who doesn't want to be in shelter and is forced to come in shelter, that is going to create some unsafe conditions for the people who run the shelter."
Hennessey said some homeless people have a drug and/or alcohol addiction that is more powerful than their desire to escape the cold and come into a shelter that does not allow alcohol or drug use.
The Open Door Mission has for decades made more space in its shelter when the temperature reaches 20 degrees or below. On those nights, the shelter’s dining room is used to make room for an additional 30 beds. Hennessey believes they could make those accommodations when it is 12 degrees warmer, but he questions whether privately funded shelters will be held to the state mandate.
Sister Grace Miller of the House of Mercy applauds Governor Cuomo's concern for the homeless, but worries about use of police force to get homeless individuals into a shelter.
"Many of them have mental issues, and that's what the problem is. Their mental issues haven't been dealt with. I really think the police need to be careful. They need to persuade them to go in (to shelter), but I wouldn't want them to use force nor see (the homeless) put in jail."
Governor Cuomo says he is ready to defend the new provisions against any legal challenges.