A homeless individual in the East Village has left those around him feeling quite overwhelmed.
Residents describe the man, who seems to lack control over his bodily functions and is currently living in an abandoned church on East 7th Street, as possibly the smelliest person in New York City.
“There are always homeless people and rats in the area, but I’ve never encountered such a potent, nauseating smell on this block before,” said Raf Aster, an East Village resident who first noticed the issue about ten days ago.
That’s when Aster spotted an unidentified man on the steps of the former First Hungarian Reformed Church, surrounded by a pool of waste.
“As I got closer, I saw that a brown and red liquid was running down his legs, pooling under the hem of one of his pants,” Aster recalled.
Since then, neighbors have been avoiding the block, considering it a biohazard.
For several days, the man has been seen limping toward Tompkins Square Park, a foul smell apparently following him.
On Friday, the man was discovered dozing on a park bench as passersby held their noses, with flies buzzing around him.
Although it’s clear he needs help, authorities appear to be unsure of how to proceed.
Residents called 911 twice, but the man turned down medical assistance even when paramedics arrived, an FDNY spokesperson confirmed.
Over a dozen complaints regarding homeless services and encampments have been filed in the past week, but they’ve all been addressed without significant action taken.
The owner of a nearby tattoo shop said he made the call to authorities, noting, “City officials came looking for him, but they couldn’t locate him, so they left.”
Due to the ongoing situation, the benches usually outside his shop have been removed to prevent people from sleeping there.
“All the local businesses have had to clean up after him because the stench was unbearable,” he added.
The city’s Department of Homeless Services claims they are keeping a close watch on the site, which has been abandoned since the pandemic. Recently, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved plans to convert it into residential units.
“Outreach workers, along with clinicians, will continue to patrol the area, engaging with vulnerable individuals and connecting them with appropriate shelters and services,” a spokesperson stated.
State law prohibits treatment without consent unless it’s an emergency situation, and residents argue that this situation qualifies.
Aster mentioned, “Some local liberal policies have been implemented to handle homelessness, but they need to deal with situations where individuals are uncooperative or unable to care for themselves.”
“We need the city to establish policies that can manage this situation effectively and assist this man while also keeping our streets clean.”
