Gym at Brooklyn school housing migrants; parents say they got little notice
P.S. 188, also known as the Michael E. Berdy School for the Arts, is now housing several families seeking asylum in their standalone gym.
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As the migrant crisis continues to impact New York City and city agencies scramble to provide support for those seeking asylum, concerned parents are raising their voices after they received little notice that their kids' school gym will house migrants arriving to the city.
P.S. 188, also known as the Michael E. Berdy School for the Arts, is now housing several families seeking asylum in their standalone gym. The Office of Emergency Management has approved the usage of this gym, and there was police presence outside of the school.
A spokesperson from the mayor's office provided the following statement, in part:
"We are opening emergency shelters and respite centers daily, but we are out of space. We will continue to communicate with local elected officials as we open more emergency sites.”
This site comes as the city has opened 130 emergency sites and eight large humanitarian relief centers to serve the 65,000 people seeking asylum in New York City. Mixed reactions are emerging from the Coney Island community, as some say this is not the place for migrants while the community is facing its own issues. Others are welcoming the migrants with open arms.
"We have to help we have to have a good heart," said Coney Island resident Maria. "You have to look at it this way it could be you instead of them. So, you have to see what’s going to happen."
As reactions continue to pour in from the community, Community Board 13 told News 12 that they have been struggling to receive information on how many people will be housed here and for how long.
