
CITYWIDE – THE CITY’S DEPARTMENT of Homeless Services is set to resume its policy of clearing homeless encampments starting next week, the New York Post reports, reversing a key campaign promise of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
City Hall had paused the forced removals on Jan. 1, saying that the practice was not effective at moving people into shelters. Critics have cast a spotlight on this decision in recent weeks after the deaths of over a dozen people with ties to the city’s shelter system during the recent deep freeze, although the city has said none of the deceased were found in encampments.
Sources told the Post that when the sweeps resume, action will not be immediate: Outreach staff from the DHS will make contact with a camp resident, then will revisit over a weeklong period to attempt to convince the person to voluntarily accept services, before returning with police and New York City Department of Sanitation workers to clear the site, if necessary.
“The goal is to maximize placements into shelter and connect unhoused New Yorkers to the services they need so that when DSNY clears an encampment on day seven, meaningful progress has already been made,” a City Hall spokesperson said.
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SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.

ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.