Sen. Golden Asks Residents To Sign Petition Opposing Bragg Street Halfway House

State Senator Marty Golden has created an online petition for neighbors to voice their opposition to a proposed halfway house on Bragg Street — located across the street from the Sheepshead Bay/Nostrand Houses.

Golden has joined with other elected officials, including Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Senator Roxanne Persaud, and Councilman Alan Maisel, as well as the local community board, in urging the Federal Bureau of Prisons to reject the application for the facility. They argue the proximity to schools, playgrounds, and senior centers makes the location inappropriate for housing convicted felons.

“The location is troublesome as the house will stand in the immediate vicinity of a number of schools, a playground and densely populated area. The area also lacks subway access which would be a detriment to those looking to get back on their feet and find a job,” Golden said in a statement sent by his office.

Elected officials were informed of the planned halfway house, which would be located in a former synagogue at 2261 Bragg Street, after Borough President Eric Adams received a letter from the Washington state-based contractor that hopes to run the facility. Community leaders quickly wrote to the federal agency asking that the application be denied. They also reached out to their colleagues in congress asking for their help in blocking the proposal.

According to the organization Families Against Mandatory Minimums, prisoners can spend the last six months of their sentence in a halfway house, so long as they are not sex offenders, require in-patient medical, psychological or psychiatric treatment, and do not have repeated disciplinary violations.

Golden’s office said their are also coordinating with civic associations and parent leaders in local schools, and will be canvassing neighborhoods to get people to sign the petition.

The online petition was put on the senator’s website Monday and can be found here.