Homeless individuals who are unstable and strung-out have taken over significant portions of Manhattan’s West Side, leaving needles on the ground and intimidating both locals and tourists. Unfortunately, there appears to be no solution in sight to address this ongoing issue.
In a recent letter addressed to the mayor, Councilman Eric Bottcher highlighted the dire situation of a “humanitarian crisis” caused by the influx of homeless individuals, those struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. The prevalence of this issue is particularly evident in Midtown and its adjacent neighborhoods, where millions of tourists and office workers are exposed to the problem. Bottcher’s letter implores the mayor to take action and provide much-needed aid.
In his message, he emphasized the urgent need for help in our neighborhoods. He stated that the current situation cannot be sustained, and immediate action is required.
During the past two weeks, The Post visited the neighborhoods around bustling Penn Station and encountered several eccentric individuals, including a dead-eyed junkie wandering with a needle still sticking out of his hand along 36th Street – a sight that was hard to miss. These characters can be commonly found on the West Side and only add to the unique charm of the area.
According to a security guard, who identified himself only as Fisher, drug use is rampant among homeless individuals in the public courtyard of the Midtown Holiday Inn hotel located on Eighth Avenue’s notorious “strip of despair.” He reported observing individuals under the influence throughout the day and night.
The security guard, who appeared to have been through a lot, expressed his disbelief by stating, “It’s absolutely insane out here.” At the age of 50, he seemed to have experienced many difficult situations.
“People engage in sexual activity and even use the benches for it. Additionally, they also urinate and defecate in this area,” said the witness.
According to Bottcher, several areas on the West Side, including those near Washington Square Park, the West Fourth Street subway station in the West Village, and the Garment District, are in a particularly dire state.
According to Bottcher, the NYPD precincts in the area are overwhelmed with numerous calls regarding open drug sales and use, property destruction, physical and verbal intimidation, and shoplifting. The police force is stretched thin and cannot rely on making arrests as a solution to the ongoing crisis.
According to The Post, Bottcher, who represents District 3, stated that there are individuals who have been arrested numerous times, ranging from 50 to 100, without any significant action being taken.
“When does someone intervene to break the cycle?”
As observed by The Post, employees of the Midtown Holiday Inn recently witnessed a custodian cleaning up two used needles outside the premises. In an effort to deter the disorderly vagrants, the staff has resorted to using sprinklers to wash them away.
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According to an online review, some individuals experiencing homelessness have turned the hotel’s pool area into a place to shower. The reviewer expressed dissatisfaction with this behavior, citing their use of soap.
Rocky Caban, the 45-year-old front desk supervisor at the hotel, shared that when they turn on the sprinklers to move the homeless individuals, they often respond with curses and even physical aggression. “They try to hit us and everything,” he stated. To prevent them from entering the premises, the hotel has stationed a guard outside.
As I approached the benches, Caban drew my attention to a man who was nodding off. It was a common occurrence that we had to deal with every day.
Every day, I witness a familiar group of individuals. They often require medical attention, and I observe them being transported in an ambulance. However, it’s not uncommon to see them back outside the next day.
During The Post’s visit on Wednesday, two homeless people were found lying on the sidewalk outside Housing Works Community Healthcare. The 37th Street center specializes in harm reduction services, including needle exchange and treatment for crystal methamphetamine addiction.
Just a few blocks away, a pair of Port Authority officers were in pursuit of a man who was shouting and running out of Carlo’s Bakery.
According to The Post, a security guard working in a 36th Street building for two years has observed frequent instances of drug dealing and drug use in the surrounding area. He reports seeing such activity occurring “all the time” on the block.
During his workdays, he frequently converses with homeless individuals who inform him that they are unable to afford their medication, despite the presence of a nearby methadone clinic.
“He said that some people prefer to self medicate and purchase heroin.”
According to some individuals, they would prefer to live on the streets than in a homeless shelter due to the fear of being robbed or even stabbed. They believe that they are safer living on the streets than in a shelter.
The head of Fieldston School steps down amidst ongoing disputes between parents and students regarding the war in Israel.
The attack is not limited to only Midtown.
Last week, Washington Square Park was filled with over a dozen individuals who appeared to be mentally unwell. They could be seen sleeping on benches or wandering around barefoot, muttering to themselves or asking for money.
According to Craig James, a 55-year-old artist from Brooklyn who sells his artwork in the park, panhandlers intentionally target families and resort to spitting at them if they refuse to give them money. He also mentioned that some scammers deliberately bump into unsuspecting visitors while carrying trays of food, hoping to spill it and then demand money from sympathetic or frightened victims to replace it.
According to him, the food appears to be dry, and the area is littered with cigarette butts. However, most people avoid addressing this issue as they are aware that tourists do not want to be bothered.
Every day, Rana Jamil, the clerk at the 7-Eleven near the West Fourth Street subway stop, faces a continuous stream of emotionally disturbed people that leaves her feeling scared to work. Just outside the store, an apparently homeless man is seen sleeping, further adding to the unsettling environment.
According to Jamil, the West Village store has been experiencing shoplifting and violence, which has resulted in the installation of locks on refrigerators and the resignation of several employees, including one who only worked for a week. Jamil also expressed concern that the store may have to close down within the next few months.
He stated that operating a business in this location is impossible.
In his letter addressed to Adams, Bottcher urged the mayor to endorse a bill that mandates the placement of licensed social workers in NYPD precincts by the city’s health department.
According to him, the B-HEARD program, which involves mental health professionals assisting in 911 calls, is only available in 31 police precincts. It is noteworthy that none of these precincts are located on the West Side.
He wrote that the program is currently needed on the West Side of Manhattan.
Guests have been deterred by the unsanitary conditions surrounding the Holiday Inn, with several leaving negative online reviews referring to the establishment as an “absolute garbage dump.” Many have also expressed concern about the presence of dubious individuals engaging in drug deals outside of the hotel.
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During her visit to the hotel with her family, Nicola Krebs, a 31-year-old tourist from New Zealand, expressed her reluctance to stay at the hotel again.
In a conversation with The Post, Krebs expressed his love for New York City. However, he also admitted that the overwhelming number of homeless people can be a bit off-putting.
“They ought to provide assistance to them,” suggests the speaker.
According to crime statistics from the NYPD, crime rates have been decreasing in most of the six police precincts that cover Bottcher’s West Side district.
Midtown North is an exception among police precincts as it serves the most prominent area in the world’s eyes. This precinct covers the north edge of Times Square, the Theater District, and Hell’s Kitchen.
According to data from the NYPD, major felonies saw a 71% increase from July 22 to July 28 this year, as compared to the same week in the previous year.
According to the data, there has been a 10% increase in crimes in the precinct this year compared to the same time frame in 2023.
The Post has received numerous complaints from West Side residents, businesses, and tourists that are not necessarily reflected in crime statistics. These grievances primarily relate to quality of life issues and may result in individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health problems being reported to law enforcement.
On Friday, The Post asked for data on police interactions with emotionally disturbed individuals in the six West Side precincts under Bottcher’s jurisdiction dating back to 2022. However, an NYPD spokesperson stated that it was not possible to gather the requested information by Sunday morning.
The Post’s inquiry regarding the matter was left unanswered by City Hall officials.
According to Bottcher, the current state of affairs is inflicting immense hardship on individuals in New York who suffer from severe mental illnesses, drug addiction, and are homeless. This situation is not only affecting the locals and businesses, but also making life unbearable for those in need.
According to him, Midtown is where the issue is most apparent.
He stated that they serve as the entrance to New York City for millions of individuals annually. Furthermore, they are the district where millions of people commute to work every day.