Racine---There's a reason why the forces behind a new homeless shelter that's proposed for a building across the street from an elementary school didn't first seek greater public input.
With tentative support having already been lined up from both the mayor and county exec, approval was viewed as a bit of a slam dunk.
It wasn't.
"We probably should have, prior to accepting this building, started talking to people," said Living Faith Lutheran Church Pastor Warren Williams. "I guess our fault is that because we've been working with the homeless we don't consider them a dangerous population."
Others obviously disagree, and the potential for drawing an undesirable element to the neighborhood--which includes Julian Thomas Elementary right across the street-- is what seems to be fueling opposition.
The shelter proposal comes from a new non-profit called "Segue." One of the main reasons that the group picked the building in question is that it was donated. The new facility is intended to replace the overnight shelter that had been operated by the Hospitality Center at St. Luke's Episcopal Church before that non-profit decided that keeping the place open at night was beyond its means.
With winter around the corner, about 40 attended a 'what's next' type of meeting at the Racine County Courthouse Thursday.
Using the opportunity to vent, shelter supporter Dennis Munch said opponents ought to be ashamed of themselves. "We all have drug addicts and alcoholics in our neighborhoods," he said. "You just don't know it."
Another meeting will be held in about a month to explore alternative sites and the possibility of resurrecting a system of rotating churches to house the homeless.
While HALO operates the city's largest homeless shelter, it historically has been less lenient than the Hospitality Center and other shelters in accepting people with drug and alcohol problems.
Segue announced previously that it would not accept sex offenders.
Attendees at last Thursday's meeting included Mayor Dickert and County Exec Delagrave.
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From our partners at WRJN.