Daytona Beach, FL - The location of a Safe Zone at First Step Shelter continues to be an issue for Board members. A Safe Zone is not necessary for the opening of the Shelter but it is necessary for cities in Volusia County to be in compliance with something called the Pottinger Act. Protections of the Act mandate that there be a place to take the homeless rather than arrest them for doing things like sleeping on public property, such as a park. A Safe Zone is for those that don't want to comply with the rules of a shelter.
Board member Chase Tramont said a Safe Zone located at the Shelter is compliance for all of the cities involved in the Shelter. He also said that he does not feel confident that the Safe Zone will be up and running by the time the Shelter is scheduled to open in December because, at this time, the Board has not agreed to where it should be located. Once the decision has been made on location, some construction will need to be done and security personnel will need to be hired to run it.
Tramont said that most members of the Board prefer the Safe Zone to be located in front of the entranceway, fenced in with a guard shack and brush around it for privacy. He's like it to be further away from the main building but will go along with the majority decision because it needs to be done. He does feel the Board will come to a consensus soon but then they will have to find the funding to do the work to bring it together. Tramont said that the Safe Zone has by far been the most contentious part of getting the Shelter open.
The grand opening for First Step Shelter, which is open to the public, is scheduled for December 11.
