64°
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Sunrise Detox has been eyeing a former nursing home on Dekalb Avenue for its third detox facility, however, many in the Carhart neighborhood, including Patricia Sanderson say the proposal concerns them.
"I don't approve of it. I just have a feeling that something bad might happen," said Sanderson, 76, a retired Waller Avenue resident who used to work at the Burke Rehabilitation Center.
Sunrise, which has facilities in New Jersey and Florida, has been eyeing the vacant Nathan Miller Center for Nursing Care at 37 Dekalb Ave. for its third detox center. Sunrise did not return calls for comment before deadline, however, members of the Carhart neighborhood association members and Live Oaks Condominiums have met with Sunrise's attorney to discuss the company's plans to expand in White Plains. The attorney told Ken Kristal, a Carhart Association member, a special permit would be needed to operate a detox center on Dekalb Avenue. No formal application for this permit has been submitted.
Residents like Rudra Das say a detox center would only invite more crime in a neighborhood that has already seen an increase increase in illegal activity.
"I do have concerns because as of late this neighborhood has had its unfair share of crime," said Das, 39, a computer software developer, who mentioned Dekalb Avenue has seen a shooting and car crash into a pole since spring. "It's not that people being rehabilitated are criminals, but they know criminals."
Two of Das' neighbors in the Live Oaks Condominiums mentioned they had a hard time selling their homes because of elevated crime rates. The potential of more drugs in the Carhart area also concern him because there are "quite a few" bus stops in the area.
"I don't know that we want to make individual who have access to drug paraphernalia be in such close proximity to potential buyers who are young," said Das.
The Carhart Association has been passing around petitions against the detox center and plans to vocalize its concerns at the Oct. 3 Common Council meeting, according to Kristal.
"We plan to have a contingency there to make our voices heard. We understand that substance abuse is a real problem and that Sunrise and other such facilities do undoubtedly do good work, but we just are against the location where they decided to place this facility. It's such a residential area," said Kristal.
What are your thoughts on Sunrise Detox's proposal to open up a facility on Dekalb Avenue? Do you think it may increase crime? Would it bring more jobs into the community? Join the conversation below.
Click here to follow Daily Voice White Plains and receive free news updates.
