Residents Debate Carmel Site for Crisis Center

By Holly Crocco

Impassioned residents gathered at the Nov. 13 Carmel Planning Board meeting to voice various opinions, concerns, comments, and insights into the potential placement of a Putnam County crisis stabilization center at 1071 Stoneleigh Ave., which would provide walk-in services to people facing a mental health or substance abuse issue.

While some implored the board to allow the center to come to fruition, others begged it to consider how it will affect neighboring properties and businesses.

The first speaker was a woman who was victim to an assault by someone who was seemingly in need of treatment at one of these locations.

On Oct. 19 of this year, a 35-year-old man chased the woman on the Putnam County bike path, held her down, and punched her repeatedly. She was able to break away and the man ran off and hid in a drainage pipe along the bike path where he had allegedly been living.

“I don’t want to stand here as a victim, but as a voice for safety and reason in the hamlet of Carmel,” she said. “My attacker has a criminal record and prior convictions for drugs and assault. I was told that local officials tried to place him in a shelter but he refused and instead choose to live in a tent along the rail trail… Apparently the county issued my assailant a tent. Yes, they gave him a tent.”

While the woman praised local law enforcement who quickly located her attacker and arrested him, the man – who police were allegedly not allowed to remove from living along the bike trail – was ticketed and released due to state bail reform laws.

“I have no doubt that (the center) it will help those in crisis,” said the woman. “However, within just 1 mile in the hamlet of Carmel, we have a county jail, Putnam Hospital, CoveCare Center, Arms Acres inpatient and outpatient clinic, and an addiction treatment center that distributes methadone. Allegedly my attacker was a methadone patient… Adding another facility that serves people in crisis so close to homes, local business, senior communities, and the rail trail is not appropriate.”

Kristin Cacal of Brewster spoke in support of the center.

“I would like people to remember that ‘these people’ are also kids, and that’s a piece that’s really lacking in Putnam County,” she said. “I understand no one wants something in their backyard. I do get that and I hear the concerns and I appreciate them. But I do think we have an epidemic of mental illness among our children. And if no one has ever had to take a child to Putnam Hospital or Four Winds Hospital, consider yourself very lucky. Is the worst thing a parent can do.”

With schools struggling to meet the mental health needs of students, and families in crisis, Cacal asked the board to move the proposal forward.

“I would bet money that most of the people brought to this center would mostly be kids, which is a very sad statement to make, but it’s very telling about where our society is,” she said.

Todd Karlin, chief program officer at Astor Services, a nonprofit that provides children’s mental health services in Rhinebeck, said the crisis stabilization center in Dutchess County currently provides services to Putnam residents.

“Children are a major component and a massive use of the center,” he said, noting that when a child is taken to the hospital emergency department for a mental health crisis, they sit for long hours in a room mixed with adults, and have no access to further supports once they leave. “The stabilization center fills a gap that no one else can provide and it is the evidence-based model for support in the state and it is regarded as the best way to support kids in crisis.”

Karyne Aabel of Carmel countered that those seeking a different location – one not in a residential area – are also thinking about the safety of their children.

“We’re here to protect our own kids as well,” she said. “I’m also within a mile walking distance of all those places… No one is saying there aren’t children in need or adults in need, and everyone is entitled to have that help in Putnam County. If we have to have one mandated for Putnam County, why can’t it be in Brewster, then? Why can’t it be in Mahopac? Why can’t it be in Philipstown? Carmel has done more than its fair share.”

Ashely Brody, chief executive officer at Search for Change, Inc., of Valhalla, said the attack that was described by the first speaker is outrageous and upsetting, but not a reason to prevent the center from taking shape in the hamlet.

“If I thought for a moment based on my experience, based on what I’ve seen, that the introduction of a stabilization center would increase the likelihood of that happening, I wouldn’t be here this evening,” he said. “We are in the midst of a crisis of mental health… This community is not exempt.”

Kevin Stenger of Stoneleigh Avenue said the hamlet of Carmel has changed dramatically over the years.

“The amount of people living on that bike path is unbelievable,” he said. “Wherever they are, we don’t know, but they are coming out of the woods every day. The harassment of customers walking through the parking lot in Putnam Plaza, with people coming up to them asking for money, saying rude things to them, is also unbelievable. And the abuse the business owners in that plaza are starting to take, with people coming in wanting to use the restroom, begging for food, looking for money, and wanting to take shelter should not be happening.”

He also cited recent incidents on the bike path, such as exhibitionism and assault. “These are not scenarios of what could happen – this is happening,” said Stenger.

Planning Board Chairman Craig Paeprer closed the public hearing, explaining that “a decision has not been made. We are listing to your input – pros and cons,” he said.