Kudos to you for bringing attention to this matter! Downtown Shelton is a good neighborhood but does still have a lower socioeconomic profile that is in transition. It is good that you posted this but you need to take more direct action when the woman is actually panhandling at the site. SeeClickFix is not the optimum solution to solving this problem. Calling the proper agency directly is key.

First step is to determine whether this is a person in need or a scam artist and there are appropriate agencies who will handle this. If you believe she is truly homeless and pregnant then I would suggest that the best course of action would be contacting the Spooner House (Area Congregations Together ACT: (203) 225-0453, Case Manager: Nadine Joyner njoyner@actspooner.org). They should be able to assemble an intervention team with the Police Department and other agencies such as BHCare as necessary and make an initial assessment regarding the woman’s status and needs. You can also reach out via email to Spooner but I strongly suggest using the phone and speaking directly with a case manager.

Should you suspect that the problem is primarily drug dependency or domestic abuse (someone else is putting her up to the street begging) you may reach out to BHCare at 203-446-9739 or 203-736-2601. BHCare provides mental health and addiction services in the Valley as well as domestic violence services for women and children’s services through the PCRC.

Of course can always report this directly to the Shelton Police (non-emergency: 203.924.1544) when the woman is on-site. SPD may already be aware of her, but again, I suggest calling Spooner House first and let them contact the police and other agencies since it is more likely that the social service agency will ensure that both the unborn child and any other children already in the household will get the proper attention they need if indeed the woman is both pregnant and scamming or even drug dependent. The police have a lot on their plate and while they will do their best to help people or make other referrals they will be primarily interested in criminal matters and if they find none they may not take the best action for all involved.

Any report you make can be made anonymously, and you should stress that your first concern is for the safety of the woman and her baby and your second concern is that she may be running a scam which is also detrimental to the health and safety of the unborn child. Once it has been reported to the proper authorities they must investigate and take action, but someone with direct knowledge of the matter must make that first report. Please do not get discouraged if your first report redirects you to call a different agency. They should make referrals like this themselves but you sound like a very good person and it will be very easy to make one more phone call, so if Spooner or SPD asks you to call BHCare please make that second call. Funding for services run by these agencies has been reduced significantly and many are short-staffed currently, but I’m certain that they will do their best to bring a resolution to the matter.

Good luck and thanks for caring for your neighborhood!