Councilman Robert Holden has requested the removal of a level-three sex offender who is being sheltered at the Cooper Rapid Rehousing Center in Glendale.
In a letter penned to Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Gary Jenkins on Dec. 14, Holden suggested moving the offender out of the shelter, operated by Westhab and located at 78-16 Cooper Ave., saying he is a danger to the community.
While the community is aware the shelter houses dangerous individuals, opening the residents to level three sex offenders adds a new, more dangerous dynamic, according to Holden.
“We know from the history of sex offenders that it’s hard to cure them,” Holden said.
In New York state, there are three levels of sex offenders divided by the risk of re-offense, meaning how likely it is that the sex offender will commit another sex-related crime. The court sets the sex offender level. The three levels are as follows:
- Level 1: lowest risk
- Level 2: moderate risk
- Level 3: highest risk
According to Holden, former Commissioner of Social Services Steve Banks assured him that level-three sex offenders would not be housed at the Cooper Rapid Rehousing Center.
He also states that the shelter is only a few blocks away from two schools, I.S./P.S. 119 and P.S. 87, and a park.
“We don’t believe we should take that risk, certainly in the middle of two schools,” Holden said. “It’s a lot of kids, and this is a recipe for disaster having this gentleman there.”
According to the NYPD, the offender, Harold Henson, has been arrested six times. Four of the arrests were related to sexual assaults, according to authorities, including incidents with a 37-year-old woman and three minors, all on the same day.
Holden has been critical of Westhab’s ability to monitor the shelter’s residents. In his letter to Jenkins, Holden said the 104th Precinct had arrested 148 shelter residents since it opened in 2020.
“I don’t have confidence in Westhab to monitor this gentleman or any of their clients, based on their record,” Holden said. “There have been 81 arrests this year and it’s not even over yet. That’s double last year.”
Holden told QNS he has yet to receive a response from DHS.
QNS reached out to DHS for a comment and is waiting for a response.
