Bronx Squatter Encampments Raise Concerns

In an area of New York City where law enforcement seems absent, squatting has become rampant. Residents are voicing their unease over a growing encampment of trailers, RVs, and even a discarded ambulance in the Bronx, transforming the streets into a grim scene. Illegal generators and propane tanks clutter the sidewalks, while waste from makeshift toilets is being dumped directly into the road.

According to locals, this situation has been a known issue for about two years now.

“They pump it out into the street, and then it stops working, so the street sweepers can’t clean it either,” shared a lifelong resident of the Bronx, who preferred to remain anonymous. “It smells like a chemical toilet, and it gets worse in the summer.”

“I get that people need somewhere to live, but honestly, it’s only going to deteriorate from here,” the resident added.

A recent report also highlighted a similar scenario in Queens, near Citi Field, where families were living in trailers and motorhomes, and operating what seemed to be an unlicensed auto shop while tapping into city utilities.

“I’ve stopped calling the police,” lamented Luke Huang, a local business owner. “They just ignore the situation.”

In the Bronx encampment, 15 RVs and trailers were set up along Bronx Boulevard, equipped with security cameras, solar panels, and digital antennas. The entire area had unofficially been marked as off-limits.

Many of the trailers had gas and propane jugs placed outside, with generators supplying power to both the vehicles and some nearby cars, a few with out-of-state or no license plates at all.

An old ambulance was propped up on jack stands, with a generator running outside, and parked nearby were two cars with New Hampshire plates, along with a Chevrolet SUV. As the few occupants inside noticed a visitor, they quickly silenced the generator. A man stepped out of the RV and inquired if the police had ever visited the site.

“No, they don’t bother us,” he replied. “We keep this place clean. There’s no reason to trouble us. I’ve been to all the states for work, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

In a nearby gas station, it appeared that supplies were being sold specifically for the encampment, including camping gear and even weapons.

An old school bus parked nearby on Gun Hill Road added to the chaotic scene. It was adorned with marijuana leaf decorations and had a sign reading “Green Empress.” There was even a walk-up window where patrons could knock to buy marijuana, with the seller casually referring to the cost of a joint as a “donation.”