Homeless Encampment Cleared Near NYU Dorms, Only to Relocate Down the Street
City workers dismantled a sidewalk encampment across from New York University dorms, but the residents quickly established a new camp a block away, expressing frustration with the brief notice.
City sanitation workers and police cleared a homeless encampment from a sidewalk near New York University dorms on Wednesday, but the individuals living there subsequently relocated to a new site approximately 100 yards away.
The encampment, which had occupied a significant portion of the sidewalk on East Ninth Street, was dismantled around 10:30 a.m. The occupants were reportedly given about 10 minutes to gather their belongings before moving.
One individual from the encampment expressed dismay, stating, "They just made up some new bulls–t! They’re supposed to give us notice. They just showed up and said, ’emergency cleanup.’ They gave us 10 minutes to move our stuff. This is total bulls–t."
The encampment had been situated across from the university dorm building at East Ninth Street and Third Avenue. Its presence had been highlighted by the New York Post on Monday.
A policy attributed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly prohibited police from clearing encampments for at least a week to allow outreach workers to offer services. However, recent adjustments to this policy stated that the NYPD would not be banned from responding to 311 complaints regarding encampments, instead directing officers to use 311 themselves if they observed such sites.
The responsibility for addressing these encampments has increasingly fallen on homeless services and social services staff.
Following the clearing, the residents relocated their belongings, including carts and luggage, to a new location further down the street, securing them to a railing. A city worker reportedly offered assistance in retrieving any remaining gear.
Local residents have voiced concerns about the city's approach. Mark Zafrin, a lawyer residing in the neighborhood, expressed worries that the lack of police presence could lead to dangerous situations. "That’s going to get somebody hurt," he stated. "If you don’t have the police here, somebody is going to be stoned, crazed and is going to go after the outreach worker, and somebody is going to get seriously hurt. How can they change anything without the police there backing the up? Without the threat or intimidation of the police there, nothing is going to change."
Another resident, who identified himself as Dillian, expressed concern that the new encampment location might lead to conflict with delivery workers who frequently use Abe Lebewohl Park, located nearby. "It’ll be noisy tonight. Lot of fights tonight. They’re going to move up the street tonight and it’s going to be on. There’s a bunch of guys who live up in that park right there. The delivery guys. You know, the guys with the scooters delivering food and stuff. They’ve taken over the park and live there."