The merry-go-round and minature golf course on Main Street is situated in front of a well known crack house. Businesses on the street complained frequently about the clientele of The NOAH Shelter Complex and Duffy Clinic seen intoxicated near their businesses and the general "traffic" on this corner. Law enforcement dismissed their concerns.
Town officials and human services negotiated relocation of the shelter to the Fish Landing/Mildred's Chowder House. Public outcry and attention to public safety became an item for discussion after evidence of violent crime was forwarded to neighbors and businesses adjacent to the proposed properties. Chief Finnegan was eventually replaced by Lieutenant Paul MacDonald. Correspondence had been forwarded to both MacDonald and Kevin Donovan of the Police Patrolman's Union after Town Manager John Klimm threatened to lay off police officers.
MacDonald "assumed the position" and I was arrested and charged for delivering excessive correspondence and communication to public officials, authorities, and law enforcement agents.
Mary Clements
241D Stevens Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
August 16, 2004
Patrolman Kevin Donovan
Representative to The Barnstable Police Patrolman’s Union
The Barnstable Police Department
PO Box B
1200 Phinney’s Lane
Hyannis MA 02601
Dear Officer Donovan,
I have enclosed a number of documents in regard to research on the Housing Assistance Corporation’s NOAH Shelter as it pertains to public safety. The organization intends to band together with two other agencies to form a new non-profit and establish a “wet shelter” on South Street and lobby municipal, state, and federal resources to support such an effort.
Many of the documents provided may assist you directly with public safety initiatives and provide you with an understanding in regard to the problems related to this substandard and negligent organization responsible for risking public safety. Most importantly, the Barnstable Town Council is considering lay-offs for police officers. This appears to be contraindicated and serves only to further jeopardize an innocent and unsuspecting public.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary Clements
cc. Gary Brown
John Klimm
Chief John Finnegan
Sergeant Sean Sweeney
Anne Canedy, Esq.
Paul Niedzwicki, Esq.
