Concerns Over Homeless Couple’s Behavior in Astoria

A couple has set up camp in Astoria, the former district of Mayor Zoran Mamdani. However, locals are increasingly frustrated by their disruptive actions.

Residents allege that the couple is engaging in inappropriate behavior, including drinking, having sex, and even defecating on a pizza box, while others try to navigate their daily routines. A report highlighted these issues, noting that the couple’s actions have raised alarms among the community.

Two individuals, identified as Michael and Marabelle, have taken to occupying the sidewalk on 30th Street. Chris Singler, a neighbor, reported his disturbing encounter: “It was 8:30 a.m. on my way to the gym when I saw a man sitting on a camping chair and a woman defecating with a pizza box underneath her.” He added that this particular area has many children around, including schools nearby.

Singler mentioned that his wife also witnessed a shocking incident where the woman was performing oral sex on her partner.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that a cleaning crew from a nearby building grew increasingly frustrated as they attempted to move the couple. One member of the crew exclaimed, “If you’re going to bother my wife, I’m going to fuck you!” while drinking from a vodka bottle.

Local police received complaints about the couple’s behavior but stated there was no concrete evidence of illegal activity. They clarified that without the couple’s consent, they couldn’t remove them from the area.

Before he took office in January, Mamdani had planned to halt the ongoing practice of clearing homeless encampments. Instead, he aimed to tackle the issue through his proposed Community Safety Authority, which allegedly would provide housing solutions. However, a recent report noted that Mamdani’s decision to build a homeless shelter for men in Brooklyn in March ignited protests from the community.

Wang Xiaoyu, a local resident, expressed her frustrations, suggesting that the mayor underestimates the situation. “This mayor thinks he can do whatever he wants, but he can’t. The best way to help the homeless isn’t to put them in busy areas; they need hospitals, not just shelters,” she stated.

According to CBS New York, New York ranked second in the country for the highest homeless populations as of late 2024. Earlier this year, several New Yorkers tragically succumbed to the harsh winter outdoors, leading to criticism from borough leaders in Queens—many of whom initially supported Mamdani during his mayoral run. They expressed concern over the lack of adequate measures to get people indoors during extreme weather.

“We can’t let people stay out there. These individuals are at risk,” remarked Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

Shingler, commenting again on the couple, emphasized the urgency of addressing their behavior: “There has to be a boundary in place where such actions are not tolerated, particularly due to the associated health and safety risks.”