City officials told residents at a public meeting in March that they had "spoken to all the school principals in the area" and they had given their approval for the shelter. City Life Academy Principal Jeffrey Reed disputes that comment, stating he wasn't even aware of the shelter plans until just two months before the meeting. Reed emphasizes that he believes officials intended to avoid public scrutiny by proceeding discreetly rather than engaging with the community upfront.
Irina Edelstein, a Brooklyn mother, expressed frustration over the lack of communication, stating, "We wanted to know when it's going to happen, what are the logistics, what are the safety measures. We were not given any transparency". This sentiment resonates with many community members who feel blindsided by the sudden establishment of the shelter, highlighting a significant disconnect between local officials and residents.
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