The City continues to work with the Pastor Valle and CAPIC to address these issues. As of Aug. 20, CAPIC is assisting in managing the facility, which we hope is starting to reduce some of these problems.
I do caution that the City cannot simply close down this facility, no more so than it could close down the methadone clinic. This facility is being run by Iglesia La Luz de Cristo, not by the City, and the church feels strongly that this is an important part of its religious mission. Any attempt by the City to “close this down” will likely result in a legal battle in which the City is unlikely to prevail. Uses which are core to the mission of a religious establishment are typically exempt from local regulation.
The City’s Downtown Task Force of 4 dedicated Police Patrol Officers pay regular attention to this location and are in daily contact with CAPIC.

I think this is a fair response.

Unfortunately, local residents and businesses will start moving out of the neighborhood if legal action is not taken against the church. The resource is just a temporary safe harbor for drug addicts and prostitutes. It is completely unfair to the local residents and businesses. The local newspapers and Pastor should be ashamed to promote this program as a success... it is completely FAKE news. At minimum the resource center should be required to have police detail during operational hours.

Maybe they should of ask before they started this, maybe they should bring in the behavior of the people they help. I think that’s a cop out “since we will lose a legal battle” maybe the city shouldn’t have gave them money to help them start this. It was in the papers the city gave them money the city should tell them to knock it off.

I am hoping that the 4 very dedicated police officers patroling this area is enough to curb and contain the illegal activity at this location. Let's hope for the best!!

@JR I gave up on that hope I love our boys in blue but they’re overworked already and this church made their hard work harder. The church should be ashamed for making their neighbor’s life hard (and the police officers job harder) we been very tolerant of them for everything we put them though I agree with @E.Salmon I don’t want my grandmother’s golden years being wasted by being surrounded by this.

It is unfortunate this church is being very inconsiderate to its neighbors. People have been living in this neighborhood way before the church took over. It used to be a peaceful walk going up and down Broadway. The drug activity there is ridiculous. The city dropped the ball on this one allowing them to expand to this nightmare.

In a stand alone situation the resource center might work... but, when you couple a methadone clinic (around the corner) with this type of resource center, it’s a recipe for disaster. The church needs to come to their own conclusion on the situation but they better do it before someone gets hurt.

Chelsea is s a small city We should not absorb the problem of the entire region. It is not fair! Especially we have schools nearby. The Methadone clinic has always been problematic and now this church. They don't care about the well being of its neighbors. Although well intentioned, I doubt Capic and solve this problem. In my opinion and the opinion of others I know, both places should close. The church needs to do the right thing for all of us not just for a few. If they care so much about people, what about their neighbors? you can not hard hundreds of people to save 10 or 15 or whatever their number is. If they want to continue this work, at the very least, they should of found a site on the outer parts of the city were children walking to school and not put in danger. Ridiculous! The church is putting our policeman in more danger. Shame on them!

I agree there should be a police detail. I live next to church and there are fist fights, foul language, loud arguments, empty alcohol containers left in front of my house. I even found needles twice! And what is sad is that they take the food out of church and have food fights with it! I end up cleaning it up as I don’t want rats hanging out in front of my house.

We have been working closely with CAPIC and Police to address these problems. It will remain an ongoing focus of attention for the Downtown Task Force.