Mamdani Orders 12-Block West Side Encampment Cleared After 7-Day Outreach Policy Draws Fire
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 18
Mamdani Orders 12-Block West Side Encampment Cleared After 7-Day Outreach Policy Draws Fire
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 18
Summary
A roughly 12-block homeless encampment along 11th Avenue near the Intrepid Museum is set to be cleared after Mayor Zohran Mamdani said earlier this week the site would be dismantled.
The move follows mounting complaints from residents, workers and visitors about blocked sidewalks, trash and reported illegal activity, while outreach crews this week were seen mostly collecting garbage and leaving many tents in place.
NYPD responded Tuesday after some people appeared to draw power from utility poles, and a police spokesperson said officers were ready to clear the encampment but had not been given authorization.
Mamdani had paused encampment sweeps after taking office, then replaced them with a policy requiring seven days of outreach before removals; critics near the site said that approach was not working.
The encampment stretches from 34th Street to 46th Street near the Intrepid Museum and Javits Center, adding pressure on a mayor who campaigned on expanding housing aid and changing the city's homelessness response.