The Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS) in Norwood will finally receive peace officers following efforts from Councilman Andy Cohen, Community Board 7, and several other elected officials, following through on a promise made by the New York City Department of Homeless Services for some. 

“I am really pleased they’re coming. I am very optimistic that they are going to reduce the overall impact of the shelter on the community,” said Cohen in a telephone interview with the Norwood News.

DHS hopes the peace officers, who are expected to report for duty on Oct. 1, will relieve the 52nd Precinct from constantly policing the area where the shelter resides, allowing peace officers to settle any disputes that require little involvement from the NYPD. John Betts, the residence director for BronxWorks, which operates JAMS, said in a statement the organization is committed to “being a good neighbor” by keeping order. 

This isn’t the first time the community has been vocal when it comes to JAMS. Residents fought against the shelter’s original plans that called for it to be placed near PS/MS 20. After that, there were more community concerns when it was decided that the shelter would receive a clinic open to individuals who do not live in the shelter, causing uproar from Community Board 7 members who felt that this would lead more to panhandling and loitering. As it stands, the homeless have been spotted in greater frequency along the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District. 

Many of these issues are why DHS peace officers were originally included in shelter plans. In a statement, Cohen said, “the community has been advocating for there to be peace officers at JAMS since before the facility opened and I am thrilled that DHS has now recognized the need.”

Cohen, whose 11th Council District covers Wakefield, has seen the difference that DHS peace officers make it shelter. 

“I have shelter in the Wakefield section of the district operated by Project Renewal that has DHS peace officers, and I know that after they came into the site I had a significant reduction in 911 calls. I had a significant reduction in neighbor complaints, so I know that it works,” said Cohen.