There is a critical reason for our objection to pre-dawn identification checks at the overnight trailers operated as shelters by the Suffolk Department of Social Services and county jail officials in Westhampton ["Claim: Cops bullying sex offenders," News, May 17].
Some regard this issue simplistically: Who cares whether homeless sex offenders get a good night's sleep? The problem with pre-dawn ID checks by the Southampton Town police, however, is not so simple.
If the needless awakening of shelter occupants at 4 a.m. continues, it will discourage sex offenders' use of the shelters. Instead, they will find their own overnight places to stay without security, and with no rules or monitoring.
We look forward to closing these trailers and using supervised shelters at scattered sites as soon as they are established, and this homeless population will still be segregated and supervised.Gregory J. Blass, Ronkonkoma
