Patchogue Wake-Up Call

By Jackie Lukas

"She was an innocent. She was like a little child in a woman's body."

That is what Laurie Curcio of the Oasis Christian Center told me today in Patchogue about a woman who was allegedly brutally beaten by her boyfriend. Now 39 year old Stacey Mays is in the hospital and not expected to live. Her boyfriend, 30 year old Oscar Matamoros, is being held on one million dollars bail. Police say Matamoros snapped when he thought she was seeing someone else. Residents told me the couple is homeless.

"They live here, they live there, they live everywhere. They're survivors."

Laurie told me there are a number of people who are homeless in the Patchogue area. Just right across the street from the ministry is a wooded area where homeless people congregate. It's littered with clothes, food and empty beer bottles. Yesterday it was the also the site where Suffolk Police found Stacey Mays unconscious. Laurie told me that before the attack she could tell something bad was going to happen. 

"They have been unusually clustering which is not healthy. That's when they usually get into the fights and the altercations. It's not healthy to see a whole bunch of them like that. Someone usually always gets hurt."

Laurie described this recent crime as a wake up call. She says it's about time that the police and the Patchogue community come together to help get people off the streets.

Here are some links if you want to learn more about domestic violence and how to help the homeless.

Domestic Violence

Lighthouse Mission

Comments

[umm]

To Michele, I'm sorry for your loss and the struggles your family must have gone through over the years, with your step-mother. Well, keep in mind, maybe Jackie did try to find you- but couldn't because she didn't have your address or an address of your step mother. And, well, calling Newsday is not the same as calling News 12.. although- now that they're owned by the same people, maybe it will be?

[Michele Mays]

This so called Homeless woman.. Was my step-mother, She had a family that loved her very much. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control she chose to dissappear and join this group of people on the streets. What I don't understand at all about this whole situation is that you interview the lady from the church but never once sought out her family. We were at the hospital, I tried to contact Newsday they never returned my calls.. I guess it wouldn't of made such a great story if she wasn't a homeless women with noone in the world that cared. Well we're here and we cared!! She had a husband, step-children and grandchildren who are all in mourning.. She also had a mom and dad and a sister and a brother WHO ARE ALL GREATLY effected by this situation. I can't believe there are people out there so insensitive that that would use this forum to comment on a reporters picture or how they looked...

[Karla]

This is not a great story, and yes there are hundreds of homeless men and women right here on long Island and Unfortunately My aunt happened to be one of them. Last night she passed away and we are hoping that this man will receive life for what he has done. We will be at ever court hearing and be fighting this all the way, No one deserves to be killed they way she was. For the reporters who are running reports on this story Please before running any thing on this. Please contact her Family first She did have a family,,,, Thanks

[karla]

This is not a great story, and yes there are hundreds of homeless men and women right here on long Island and Unfortunately My aunt happened to be one of them. Last night she passed away and we are hoping that this man will receive life for what he has done. We will be at ever court hearing and be fighting this all the way, No one deserves to be killed they way she was. For the reporters who are running reports on this story Please before running any thing on this. Please contact her Family first She did have a family,,,, Thanks

[KBM79]

Dam! Great Story Jackie. It's a sad hidden truth on Long Island. Most people don't even know about the homeless on L.I. I hope she makes it and they lock that jerk up for life. Maybe then he will get some of his own medicine.. Another reason to lock the borders down!! On a serious note..lol.. what's up with the black jacket in ur pic? You are too fine to be hiding behind all those clothes!! Keep workin it girl.. You're smart, sexy and ... Dam fine!!

[McDaddy]

I Know, where are the police? Eatin Donuts? It looks like they have a whole shanty-town set up there. Do they have their own zip code? Well, its great to see you finally have a blog Jackie.. What took so long?? You do a great job!! And are incredibly beautiful!! Can't wait to see and hear more from you!! -Some more pics would be nice too ;)

[Pat]

Wow, that's crazy!!!! People would think that the police would be going to these places where they congregate and try to get them into somekind of shelter. If that was the case this whole incident may not have happened. On a lighter note, great to see you have ablog on here Jackie!! Hope to read more from you in the future!!