NYC ‘gateway’ and tourist destination overrun by mentally ill, drug abusers: ‘Humanitarian crisis’
SUMMARY
Manhattan's West Side is grappling with a surge in homelessness and drug abuse, leading to deteriorating conditions in high-traffic areas like the Garment District and Washington Square Park. Councilman Eric Bottcher called the situation a “humanitarian crisis” and urged Mayor Eric Adams for intervention. Local businesses and residents report daily encounters with open drug use and aggressive behavior, with some resorting to turning on sprinklers to disperse vagrants. The NYPD is overwhelmed with calls about drug activity and property damage, particularly in the Midtown North precinct, where major felonies have risen 71% compared to last year. Despite declining crime rates in other precincts, the crisis has raised safety concerns among locals and tourists alike, with many calling for expanded social services and mental health support.
