A homeless encampment near the Intrepid Museum in Manhattan continues to cause concern for local business owners and residents. Instead of addressing the situation, the city’s actions seem limited to merely cleaning up trash left behind by those living there.
This makeshift community, filled with bicycles, electronics, and waste, has expanded to occupy a significant stretch of West 45th and 46th Streets, nestled between a museum parking lot and an Amazon warehouse.
“Just picture it. How dirty can it get? It’s tough to enjoy food when the next corner smells awful,” said a food cart owner near 12th Avenue and West 46th Street. He’s noticed a decline in his business because of this encampment.
Despite numerous calls to 911 and 311, he reported that the city’s response has been inadequate, with sanitation crews only picking up garbage without addressing the situation of the people living there.
“They just take the trash, but nobody’s addressing the people,” he expressed, explaining that moving his cart further down the block would ironically push him away from the influx of museum visitors he’s reliant on.
However, not everyone shares his sentiment. Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s non-intrusive method has garnered support from some encampment residents.
One individual, Marcus C., who lives nearby, praised the mayor for what he sees as a positive change. “For once, it feels like someone actually cares about us,” he mentioned, recalling previous stress from police sweeps under the prior administration.
Since Mamdani took office, initiatives seem to have shifted toward community engagement rather than enforcement, with outreach agencies playing a larger role.
Yet, the city’s seemingly lax approach runs counter to its stated policies, which dictate a thorough process before clearing homeless camps, including notifications and service offers.
Reports of complaints about the encampment have piled up, with several calls logged this month alone.
A security guard at the museum noted the encampment is more of a nuisance than a direct issue, though it does complicate things for joggers and families visiting.
One daily jogger, Rashid Mak, remarked, “They don’t give me a problem, but their presence definitely is problematic. It’s just messy.” He emphasized that the situation fosters a negative environment.
Some workers in the area mentioned that access to certain facilities had been restricted due to ongoing littering concerns.
Liam James, an encampment resident, indicated that the city’s previous attempts to clear the streets have morphed into a focus on sanitation and health check-ups instead.
When trash collectors arrive, he explained, they refer to themselves as “emergency scavengers,” removing belongings along with trash, often without regard for individuals’ possessions.
James, who has spent many years living on the streets, shared that he usually anticipates trash pickups on Tuesdays and Thursdays, making sure to have his items ready.
Reflecting on past administrations, he noted that previous officials often dealt with the homeless through arrests, which he found distressing. In contrast, Mamdani seems to have taken a more human-centered approach, at least temporarily.
He and others living in encampments are looking for immediate solutions like temporary shelters rather than permanent arrangements.
Another resident, James Billis from Jersey City, also acknowledged Mamdani for the rise in support services and the lessened enforcement presence. “Outreach is really stepping up their game,” he observed, noting efforts to deliver supplies and food have increased significantly.
While there are more personnel checking in, they don’t seem to interfere as much as before. “I think under Adams, we’d have felt more pressure. Now it’s a bit more laid back,” he noted.
