Homeless rat-infested shelter has become a nightmare for an entire New York area

Just one homeless person turned the Tribeca quarter into a hideous rat-infested camp, reports New York Post... For many years he was a headache for local residents, who claim that the city authorities did nothing about it.

The homeless, unidentified, has been living on Murray Street for at least three years, neighbors said. He empties and urinates in the local phone booth, attracting the “rat minions,” as the local calls them.

“He's been there for so long, and he pisses and wed,” said Shahin Gallagher, manager of the Dark Horse bar, which is located across the street from the homeless man's tents.

“At night, when I finish work, I see him literally surrounded by 10 or 20 rats,” he said. Shahin added that the homeless man also chases pigeons.

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This man's camp near Church Street stretches across the entire window of a large store. There is a pile of rubbish, traffic cones, a shopping trolley and a chair. All this is surrounded by a blue tarp on which he sleeps.

“We don't like this,” said Tribeca resident Alexis Williams. “It's dangerous here. It's ugly, disgusting and disgusting. "

Mayor de Blasio cut $ 1 billion from the NYPD budget last year amid a nationwide push to cut security funding. This deprived the department of $ 4,5 million a year for the Homeless Assistance Unit, as previously reported Forum Daily New York... As a result, nearly 2500 homeless complaints on hotline 311 were closed without police action.

Criticism of the city authorities

Jacqueline Toboroff said this homeless hideout is the “eyesore” of the area. She lives next door to the building.

“All residents are scared because he sometimes physically abuses,” Toboroff said. - It covers the entire sidewalk. He defecates. Now they have set up rat traps there specifically to deal with the situation. "

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She criticized the city authorities for not doing anything to solve the problem.

“There is no one else to call,” said Toboroff, who had called police before the budget cut because of the homeless situation.

“Initially, they tried to find out if he wants to accept help. But no one else is making any effort, because there simply are no more funds, ”she said.

City hall officials did not respond to a request for comment.