HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Duran in Opposition6/10/2026
Dear Anna,
Thank you for being open to the concerns of the community at large. I like many other
parents, grandparents and teachers appeal to you; to consider the safety of our town’s
most precious resource: our children. The area you considering for the regional shelter is in
a school zone. It is currently Not zoned for tenants. The law in Massachusetts; Megan's
Law; requires that registered sex offenders cannot reside within 1,000 feet of a school or
daycare center. This distance is intended to enhance the safety of children in the
community. The proposed shelter will be 150 feet from the Hyannis West Elementary
school and Enoch Cobb preschool Complex where 300 children from age 3 years old to 9
years old spend their days year round, including via a federally funded after school and
summer long program as well. The majority of states and hundreds of municipalities have
enacted laws that bar sex offenders from residing near schools, parks, playgrounds and
day care centers. The specified distance from a school or other venue is typically 1,000 to
2,500 feet, depending on the jurisdiction. HYANNIS WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND
ENOCH COBB PRESCHOOL COMPLEX is located approximately 150 feet from the
proposed Regional shelter on West Main St. Specifically, that looks like 300 children
playing at recess or walking to learn without any safety net, only a natural wooded
boundary. I have since learned that the wooded areas around a shelter are a preferred
place to stash drugs, paraphernalia, & alcohol. Your decision affects our children’s safety.
The safety of students from six schools, the early morning children alone at bus stops, the
children on unsecured playgrounds with a natural wooded boundary only steps away from
the proposed regional shelter. The imminent danger from stashed drugs and paraphernalia
to the possibility of predators has in fact already changed the quality of life in our
neighborhood. As a teacher we receive the stacks of pages re. registered offenders within a
range of our school. Meghan’s law requires offenders to register. An overnight shelter will
not be able to properly vet people and notify the preschool elementary and daycare and
high school by the time the students pass by the doorway of this proposed shelter at 7 am
which is when the shelter’s overnight tenants will begin to hit the streets. Tell us now how
this is Safe. We the people implore you to put the SAFETY of BARNSTABLE’S most precious
resource; our children, first. If we sincerely want to help house the unhoused A regional
shelter should be located within close proximity of services. PLEASE RECONSIDER
ZONING FOR THE PROPOSED REGIONAL SHELTER AT 460 West Main St. and consider the
other viable options that are available closer to the resources the homeless need. We
beseech thee!
Community Member,
Grateful Teacher,
Grandma,
K. Duran