Mayor’s Approach to Homelessness in Cold Weather

Mayor Mamdani stated on Friday that removing homeless individuals from the streets would be a “last resort.” With colder temperatures anticipated this weekend, the mayor’s office confirmed that 13 people have succumbed to outdoor conditions.

Democratic Socialists maintain that city officials should only bring homeless individuals indoors if they pose a threat to themselves or others. The mayor noted that temperatures might plummet to -1 degrees Celsius from Saturday to Sunday.

When questioned about how officials assess someone’s potential danger to themselves, Mamdani emphasized that various factors need consideration before making an evacuation decision, such as the adequacy of their clothing.

Mamdani addressed reporters during an event in Long Island City, explaining, “There are specific criteria used to establish whether someone is a danger.” He added, “I think an individual’s clothing and behavior can be part of that assessment.”

“For New Yorkers considered a threat to themselves or others, there’s a last-resort process for involuntary confinement,” he continued. “But this has often been necessary for city officials.”

Later that day, it was reported that outdoor fatalities had increased by three since the previous Saturday when the city experienced relentless subzero temperatures along with Winter Storm Fern.

A City Hall spokesperson revealed the outdoor death toll rose from 10 to 13 from Saturday to Tuesday. However, no further details were available regarding the circumstances surrounding the new fatalities.

Of the 10 previously reported outdoor deaths, at least six had prior contact with the city’s shelter system, with seven tied to hypothermia, according to city officials.

The coroner’s office is still investigating the precise causes of death for the 13 individuals, and their identities have not yet been disclosed.

One confirmed victim was Frederick Jones, 67, a former homeless man whose body was found in Midtown, not far from his government-subsidized apartment. According to reports, police had received multiple calls regarding Jones, but he initially declined assistance and did not qualify for involuntary removal.

Shonelle McKinley, Jones’ guardian, expressed her shock, stating, “He shouldn’t have been outside. He had a roof over his head.”

In another case, Michael Veronico, 44, was discovered dead in Brooklyn. His family indicated that he likely died from a drug overdose during the severe cold.

Mamdani’s administration announced enhanced measures, including deploying 18 “enhanced warming centers” and ramping up outreach efforts to locate unsheltered individuals every two hours instead of four.

Since the “cold blue” alert was issued on January 19, City Hall reported that 825 people have been secured in “safe havens” and other shelters, along with 15 involuntary removals.

Despite these efforts, Mamdani’s cautious approach to homeless housing has drawn criticism, including from former Mayor Eric Adams. Adams urged more assertiveness in handling the crisis.

Adams referenced a plea he made to then-mayor-elect Mamdani not to overturn the policy designed to prevent homeless individuals from freezing outdoors. Mamdani has also instructed police and sanitation personnel to cease demolishing homeless encampments prior to the current cold snap.

Queens Republican City Councilwoman Joanne Arriola bolstered calls for greater action, suggesting that enforcing Code Blue is crucial to protecting vulnerable individuals during harsh weather.

Another city council member, Phil Wong, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of involuntary commitments to prevent further tragedies.

Reports revealed multiple fatalities over a recent weekend, including Barbara Zuter, 64, who was discovered deceased. A 60-year-old man was also pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

As the city grapples with rising death tolls from cold exposure—29 reported fatalities in 2023 alone, averaging around 34 in the previous three years—the complexities of homelessness and cold-weather response remain urgent topics of discussion.