Town of Poughkeepsie hotel could possibly receive migrants from New York City

Management at the Red Roof Inn says it's prepared bedrooms, but the town supervisor says his municipality was not notified.

News 12 Staff

May 19, 2023, 10:25 PM

Updated 477 days ago

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The Red Roof Inn in the Town of Poughkeepsie is the latest location where migrant men could be sent from New York City.
News 12 went to the hotel on South Road Friday seeking answers and the manager was transparent.
He said the hotel placed two queen beds in nearly 30 rooms. He added the plan is to charge a total price of $110 a night for each room. He emphasized that nothing has been agreed to with New York City, adding that he is waiting for the city to call him back.
"It's something the Town of Poughkeepsie can't handle at this time," said Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Jon Jay Baisley. "I think the whole system has been done wrong."
Baisley believes the system is faulty because people who could stay at the hotel through social services could be displaced, as well as the lack of communication from New York City.
He said the City of Poughkeepsie was notified but not his municipality.
There are enforcement efforts now underway as Dutchess County Executive William O'Neil said the county has filed a state of emergency and two executive orders in relation to New York City's plans to relocate migrants to Dutchess.
They are also considering other legal action against New York City as well as any short-term rental property that becomes a shelter.
The Town of Poughkeepsie will be filing legal action with similar language to Orangetown's in Rockland County.
"You hear people say, 'They don't belong here, they don't belong here.' They're here. They shouldn't be treated like cattle and just shuffled from place to place to place. And again, it falls on the federal government and the states to take these people to treat them right and find them a location," Baisley said.