Residents and workers on a block in Greenwich Village where Vogue editor Anna Wintour owns a townhouse have expressed frustration over the proliferation of homeless encampments. The area on Sullivan Street, between East Houston and Bleecker Streets, has reportedly become a haven for individuals experiencing homelessness, leading to concerns about public safety and sanitation.
According to reports, at least five individuals have established encampments on the block since July 4. One notable figure, known as "Tiger," has been described as a "pot-puffing, booze-swigging, twerking vagrant." The encampments consist of a mix of furniture, storage containers, bedding, and other personal belongings set up in front of shuttered businesses. Residents report witnessing drug use, public defecation, and instances of aggressive behavior towards passersby.
Public data indicates that since The Post's initial report on "Tiger" on July 4, there have been 49 reports to 311 concerning encampments on this block, along with six additional calls for homeless assistance. One resident, who requested anonymity due to fear of retribution, described the street as a "veritable homeless encampment with homeless people that unfortunately are very strung out and very aggressive."
Incidents involving the encampments have reportedly affected local children. One father recounted an incident where "Tiger" chased his 16-year-old son, and his young daughter reportedly saw "Tiger" naked on her way to school. Another local business owner, Eric Minchan, manager of Thin Cookies, stated that his storefront has been repeatedly targeted with trash and feces. Minchan also claimed that some residents, including those driving luxury vehicles, have provided assistance to the individuals in the encampments, potentially aiding them in evading law enforcement.
"The street is a veritable homeless encampment with homeless people that unfortunately are very strung out and very aggressive," said a father of two who lives on Sullivan Street and who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution from the vagrants. Another local said he saw one man across from Wintour’s lavish four-story, 3,690-square-foot manse with four bedrooms and five bathrooms, splayed out in an alcove and brazenly shooting up drugs.
![Homeless man "Tiger" sitting with arms raised in his encampment, surrounded by cushions and an "Ethiopian Bible."]( "Homeless man "Tiger" sitting with arms raised in his encampment, surrounded by cushions and an "Ethiopian Bible."”)
"Everyday that goes by they do a huge amount of drugs and drink a huge amount of booze and you see them kind of rotting away," the concerned dad said. Both his kids, ages 16 and 12, have had terrifying encounters with the encampment.
"One night the one who goes by Tiger chased my son around the street for no reason. My son is 16 and is quite fast so he ran away," the concerned father added. And his young daughter got an eyeful of Tiger naked while she was on the way to school.
"My daughter one day, it was a school day, she went by, she said, ‘Oh my God, I just saw everything.’ I try to minimize it. ‘It’s just a body, it’s private parts. It’s not that big a deal.’ But, you know.
"I understand that the laws of the city, the district attorney, they’re not on the cops’ side. However, it’s really out of control."
Wintour, who purchased her townhouse in 1992, did not respond to requests for comment.
The situation has led some longtime residents to recall past eras of neighborhood control. "When [the mafia] was around they made the rules and when you didn’t follow the rules they did what they had to do," said Norm, a resident who did not provide a last name. "Police should be doing the same thing."