Code violations leave city with tough choice in cold
Read more: Local, Homeless Shelter, Quincy, Closed, Code Violations
The New Start Rescue Mission in Quincy will have to start over again after bringing the building up to code.
/ KHQA
A Quincy man says he wants to help people who don't have anywhere else to go.
Chuck Smith talked to the city several weeks ago about opening a rescue mission at 6th and Chestnut. City officials say they told him then that the building wasn't safe, and that he couldn't move people in there.
But seven people did stay there Thursday night. And tonight, they'll have to leave.
The city believes Smith has good intentions; he's going about it the wrong way.
"I spent two or three nights in an abandoned boat outside Quincy. I like to froze to death," said David Burcham, a resident at the shelter.
That was until Burcham found this place--the New Start Rescue Mission at 6th and Chestnut in Quincy. Burcham thought his problems were over, but now the shelter has its own problems.
"From a life safety standpoint, we're going to tell those people to move out of that building," says Chuck Bevelheimer.
Bevelheimer is the Quincy Planning and Development director and said after talking to a city inspector and the fire department, no one can live in this shelter because it's unsafe. It violates too many fire and building codes, and he said the owner, Chuck Smith, knew about this and moved people in anyway.
"I believe in brutally cold weather, we should make exceptions. That person should be able to set in a chair in a dayroom or stay all night," says shelter operator Chuck Smith.
Which is safer for the people: staying outside in negative 12 degree weather, or in a fire trap?
"I'm not being put into position to have a safety issue on us when the property owner knew about it beforehand. He needs to understand we need to treat people equal," said Bevelheimer.
But the story gets a little more interesting the more you talk to Chuck Smith.
"The Salvation Army and police have sent them here. If we're that unsafe, why would they send them here?" Smith added.
We made calls to the Quincy Salvation Army and Police Departments. They both say they have no record of sending anyone there.
"Mayor Spring said he will make sure nobody will be kicked out of here," says Chuck Smith.
"I would hope the community would realize that the mayor or city official won't put people out into the cold. But we also realize the rules and regulations and this gentleman chose not to follow the rules, and it's coming back to haunt him," said Quincy Mayor John Spring.
"I personally would have a hard time with forcing these doors to be shut and people told you you can't sleep here," said Smith.
"How can we live with it? I can't sleep at night. I don't see how the fire department can sleep with it. He needs to resolve the problem. He brought it on himself," said Bevelheimer.
Bevelheimer and Mayor John Spring said all they're asking is for Chuck Smith to do some simple things to bring the building up to code, like installing fire alarms, covering exposed wiring, and fixing the locks on the doors. Smith argues the people need help now when it's bitterly cold, and can't wait for those repairs.
Chuck Bevelheimer says the city has talked with the Salvation Army, and it will take in the people who were at the New Start Rescue Mission.
The Salvation Army will also provide services to help them.
