New York City is set to move 110 single homeless men into a Brooklyn shelter without conducting criminal background checks, according to a new report. The former Gold Star Inn in Sheepshead Bay, which has operated as a family shelter for roughly a year, is expected to begin housing single adult men as early as next week.
Local Concerns
Residents have expressed concern that city officials will not conduct criminal background checks on incoming shelter residents. The Department of Homeless Services confirmed that no criminal background vetting will take place, leaving room for potential sex offenders and convicted felons to come in contact with children.
According to NYPD data, shooting incidents in the 61st Precinct, which includes Sheepshead Bay, have risen to 5 so far this year, a 400% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Reports of rape have doubled from eight to 16, while retail theft has risen 10%.
Republican City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov argued the conversion would be ‘devastating’ for the surrounding community, citing concerns about loitering, drug activity, and crime near the shelter, which sits across the street from Lew Fidler Park, a popular neighborhood playground.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
