Clarkstown Gains Temporary Restraining Order for 'Migrant Flophouse'

NEW CITY, NY — Clarkstown has gained a temporary restraining order over the use of 295 New Hempstead Road, a single-family home they say was converted into an overcrowded, illegal boarding house.

SEE: Clarkstown Accuses Property Owner Of Running 'Migrant Flophouse'

Supreme Court Justice Thomas Zugibe issued the TRO Tuesday, ordering the house to be vacated and only operate as a single-family home. Another court hearing is set for Sept. 26.

Town officials obtained the TRO after their code enforcement action. It started when town officials met two people who were diving for clothes in a second-hand drop-off bin near the bowling alley. They gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant. After what they found, they went to court.

Supervisor George Hoehmann called the code enforcement action "unprecedented."

"I look forward to fully adjudicating this in court and holding the owners of this property responsible," he said. "This continues to be reviewed and is under investigation."

At a news conference Monday, Hoehmann detailed what officials learned at the house, a small Cape into which 31 people were packed, including in the attic and garage, under squalid circumstances. He said some of the tenants said they had just arrived from New York City, some had plans to move on soon, and another 10 people were expected soon.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler and Rockland County Executive Ed Day, who attended the news conference with Hoehmann said they had no evidence but, because the tenants were migrants, suspected Mayor Eric Adams of involvement in a "pipeline" from NYC to Rockland.

As a result of the town's action, Clarkstown officials said, Rockland County is investigating a property owned by the same landlord, Shloima Koppel, in Spring Valley.

Also, Clarkstown has received more than 30 tips on other properties — which they are looking into, officials said.

If you suspect a house is being used improperly, report it on the 311 app or contact Hoehmann at 845-639-2050 or the Building Department at 845-639-2100.

"In Clarkstown, we will enforce our codes and laws for the safety of our residents and first responders," Hoehmann said. "We were fortunate here, to avoid a potential tragedy."

Rockland County for years has been trying to crack down on illegal conversions and apartment buildings with egregious safety violations.

Under New York State law, 3-family homes and above, commercial, and places of assembly are subject to mandatory inspections.

Each of the above properties are single or two-family private residences which are not. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to be secure in their houses and prohibits the government from entering without a search warrant supported by probable cause.

So, the only way officials can investigate single or 2-family homes is if they receive a complaint and investigation confirms a problem.

"Our ability to rectify these issues is dependent on residents notifying us, which is why it is critical for anyone living in unsafe conditions report them to the proper authorities — whether it be your local municipality, our Center for Rockland Codes Investigations, or our Office of Buildings and Codes so we can take action," Day said in March after a fire in an illegal, overcrowded house killed five people. "We will hold all property owners responsible for putting lives at risk and make sure egregious violations are remedied immediately."

Rockland Codes Investigations requests all Sanitary Code Violations be reported to 845-364-2585 or by filing a report online.

SEE:

• Rockland County Inspectors Descend On Homes Next To Site Of Fatal Fire
• Apartment House Fire Affects 90 In Spring Valley
• Site Of Apartment Fire Full Of Safety Violations: County
• Cited After Apartment Fire, UWS Landlord Sues Rockland
• Rockland Reports 24 Living In Squalid, Hazardous House
• Clarkstown Accuses Property Owner Of Running 'Migrant Flophouse'
• Taking On 'Ground Zero For Illegal Housing' In Rockland County