The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to AskTheMayor@thelakewoodscoop.com.

Question:

Hello Mr. Mayor,

What is being done about the homeless situation off Clifton Ave and 4th St across from Bagel Nosh? There are a number of homeless people that have been living there for quite some time in the parking lot behind 323 Clifton Ave building. They are camping out quite close to the Police dept. There is odor due urination and all kinds of items scattered by the homeless people

Response from Mayor Coles:

We have been working with the police department and Steps to place many of these individuals in permanent housing. We have also requested the county to send in social workers to work in conjunction with us to sign these folks up for whatever benefits they are entitled to and to help us get them the assistance they need to make the transition out of homelessness. We also recently added 12 new police officers. We have asked the chief to assign several officers on a regular basis to monitor the situation throughout the downtown as well as Town Square.

Thanks for reaching out.

Ray

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