A sprawling homeless encampment extending roughly 12 blocks along Manhattan’s West Side—from West 34th Street to West 46th Street along 11th Avenue—has become a focal point of criticism against Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Residents, workers, and tourists near landmarks such as the Intrepid Museum and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center have expressed concerns that the city is not adequately addressing the situation.

Joan G., a local woman who declined to give her last name, told Fox News Digital, “I think it’s embarrassing.” A nearby construction-site security guard, known only as “Joe the Dog Man,” was more direct, describing the area as involving “drugs, prostitution and everything else in between.” He added, “They gotta clean them up, they gotta keep on top of them,” and emphasized the need to “enforce and give the police the right to do their job.”

Mayor Mamdani initially paused homeless encampment sweeps upon taking office, fulfilling a campaign promise. However, he later reinstated them in February with a revised policy led by the Department of Homeless Services. This policy mandates a seven-day outreach period after notice is given before an encampment can be dismantled. Mamdani stated that by the seventh day following notice, the encampment will be cleared. He emphasized his administration’s focus on “connecting New Yorkers to shelter,” rather than simply relocating them.

The New York Post reported that sex workers were bringing customers to tents and nearby bathrooms in the area, citing interviews with local sources. The controversy surrounding the encampment echoes debates from Los Angeles’ mayoral primary regarding the roles of housing costs, mental illness, and substance abuse in street homelessness.

When asked about the encampment, Mamdani said the city was “going to look into the details of that,” according to reports.

Sources