THE SHELTER AT THE EMERY SCHOOL BUILDING

I was relieved to see that the issue of the homeless shelter for women at the old Emery School building was finally addressed {"Women's Shelter, NE School Coexist Unwillingly," Metro, Nov. 14} .

As a resident of the Emery School neighborhood, I must express my increasing frustration and anger at what I knew would happen when the old Emery School building was turned into a homeless shelter. I, along with others (including our ANC representative), protested it when we first discovered what the building would be used for, but to no avail. And our worst nightmares are rampantly coming true before our eyes.

The open-air drug market that was originally set up near Lincoln Road and Florida Avenue has moved down to the front of the Emery building, where the men feel free to loungeon and in front of the property24 hours a day, every day of the week, peddling their wares to any and every one (kids included). It seems that a friend was right when he told me that the city will dump its problems where there is the least resistance. Our neighborhood has been a source of blatant abuse and neglect for many years because the residents feel there is no hope or help from our D.C. Council representative or our mayor, and therefore do not put up much of a fight.

In response to Elizabeth Beck's comment about our neighborhood's being "an awful, awful place" -- the residents of Emery neighborhood would appreciate it very much if she would take her homeless people someplace else (perhaps into her wonderful, wonderful neighborhood). She is misguided (or lying) when she states that the presence of the homeless shelter has made this neighborhood safer because of additional police. Where are they?

My other fear seems also to be coming true. The shelter was to close in December 1986; now I learn that it won't be until next fall. I wonder what Mitch Snyder is going to tell us when next fall gets here? If, in fact, the representatives of the Emery School PTA were told by the city people "not to make a fuss because we already have a bad neighborhood," then we are in very serious trouble.

I feel that the old Emery School building could be used for far more constructive community-oriented things, such as a home study center for the many young people living in this neighborhood, or a library or a recreation center for youth and senior citizens. What has happened here is just another example of blatant disregard, disrespect and lack of concern by our city officials. It is time for the residents of the Emery neighborhood to rise up and take a stand now| SHERRE WASHINGTON Washington

Articles appear as they were originally printed in The Washington Post and may not include subsequent corrections.