Mayor Zoran Mamdani continues to face criticism for not clearing homeless encampments and forcing individuals off the streets, especially as New York City braces for another round of dangerously low temperatures this weekend.
“With subzero temperatures anticipated again this weekend, I’m writing to inquire about the steps being taken to ensure all New Yorkers have access to warm shelter. Will there be increased outreach to connect with homeless individuals?” Councilman Oswald Ferris expressed these concerns in a letter reviewed by The Post.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning for extreme cold in New York from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon. An arctic blast is expected, which will bring strong winds and more snowfall to the area.
“While we’ve had several chilly days already, this situation is different due to the intense winds. Temperatures might feel like they’re dangerously low, below freezing, into the weekend,” explained Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. “Wind gusts could reach 40 to 50 mph, making it feel like 15 to 20 degrees below zero.”
“If you’re not properly dressed for these conditions, frostbite and hypothermia can set in within just 30 minutes,” he warned.
Since January 24, at least 17 fatalities have been reported among individuals outdoors, with 13 attributed to hypothermia and three to overdoses; the cause of one death remains unknown.
“What measures will be taken to prevent a repeat of last week’s tragedy? If a person declines assistance and stays outside in these frigid conditions, what actions will be taken to ensure they aren’t left exposed?” Ferris continued, seeking more details on the mayor’s strategy.
Mamdani insists that no deaths have occurred in homeless encampments but has not acted to dismantle them, which stands in contrast to the actions of previous administrations during similar weather crises.
He maintains that the city only intervenes to remove homeless individuals from the streets as a “last resort,” a stance that has drawn criticism, including from Nicole Gelinas of the Manhattan Institute. “Initially, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. However, as this situation evolves, I’m finding it harder to extend that benefit,” she remarked regarding Mamdani’s hesitance to adapt the city’s approach.
“He anticipated this outcome, and if our tactics don’t change, we could see more lives lost,” she added.
The mayor’s administration has encouraged homeless individuals to seek shelter rather than relying on enforcement, boosting efforts by establishing 20 mobile warming sites across the city.
Since the “Code Blue” declaration on January 19, more than 1,100 people have been placed in shelters, though only 20 have been forced off the streets, according to Mamdani.
New Yorkers are still instructed to call 311 if they observe a homeless person in the cold, but operators have reportedly begun asking a series of questions to define what qualifies as a “last resort.” One concerned citizen recounted the queries they faced, describing a situation where they were asked about the individual’s clothing and if they possessed any weapons.
Another caller shared that they were asked to estimate the age of a person covered in blankets. “I just couldn’t tell,” she mentioned, noting that such questions could deter people from calling for help.
Gelinas argued that the administration should instruct citizens to call 911, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “Mixed messages are being sent,” she explained, voicing concerns that this approach could mislead homeless individuals into thinking staying out overnight is safe.
Reports indicate that 29 individuals succumbed to cold exposure across the city in 2023, but this figure doesn’t differentiate between those who were homeless and those in shelters. Over the span from 2020 to 2023, the average annual deaths due to cold exposure were roughly 34.
With more than six weeks until spring, the 17 deaths recorded this year have already surpassed the total annual counts from 2010 to 2019, excluding the year 2018 when the number was 21.
The City Council’s Public Safety Committee is set to meet jointly with the General Human Services Committee on Tuesday to examine the city’s Code Blue protocols.
