Homelessness and Crime Worry Hamilton Heights Residents

Almost from the beginning of the pandemic, Hamilton Heights residents worried about their safety. People who live in the twenty-block stretch between 135th and 155th streets saw more and more homeless people on the street and a rise in trespassing in apartment lobby stairwells and basements. “I have seen them come in and out of this building for the past year and a half,” explained Maria Allen, who lives in a building on 138th Street.

Allen is not the only one who feels concerned. Neighbors on other blocks say they have seen drugged-out strangers lurking in and near their buildings. It is a problem that the supers cope with almost every day. Marcelo Gonzalez, a father and the super of a building on 140th Street, said he is concerned for his family and the residents of the building.

“I have seen the main door locks broken and easy for anyone to come in, I have also seen the glass windows cracked,” he said. He explained that he tries to keep the building safe. “It is my responsibility to manage this building and make sure everything runs smoothly. How can I ensure safety if the door that separates where the residents of this building sleep and the street corner is always in constant need of repair?”

Maria Allen said she had seen the same kind of thing at her building: “They have been seen rummaging through peoples’ packages and have harassed the people of this building while on substances.”

“For a couple of months, I’ve seen the same homeless man sleeping on the stairs outside my apartment,” said Rosalyn Diaz, a 137th Street resident. “He takes up most of the stairway, stopping anyone from using it. No matter how many times the cops have been called he keeps returning. I’m fed up because nothing is being done.”

“I’m used to seeing these homeless people on my way to work, but I don’t expect to see them outside where I sleep,” said Johnathon Quiles, who lives on 150^th Street.  “I can hear them ramble on about who knows what, and when I walk past them to get into the building, they just stare. It’s unsettling,”

Even with the panic and worries, some do feel empathy for the homeless. “I do worry for them too,” said Eric Batts, a 149th resident. “I mean for the most part they’re just looking for a place to sleep during the harsh weather. I do still see ones who steal packages and bring drugs and problems into this building, and I want them packed up. That’s not all of them. I just want these people off the streets, get them a home or some kind of help.”

But the increase in homelessness seems to correspond with the NYPD’s crime statistics. Burglary is up 75.9 percent from 2020 to 2022, felonious assault up 26 percent, and robbery up 28.5 percent in the 32nd precinct, which covers Hamilton Heights.

District 9 City Councilperson Kristin Richardson blamed the lack of affordable housing for the homeless crisis in the area. She said, “The housing crisis in Harlen threatens hundreds of multi-generational black and brown families. The Black and Brown community and low-income households are being left behind. Developers are entering our community, with no accountability for the existing surrounding areas or their socioeconomic impact. Affordability needs to be redefined!”

Richardson also said she is promoting social programs to reduce crime “Our office continues to work with the youth and community organizations to mitigate the rise in crime in our district. Our efforts, such as the Summer of Hope program we piloted this summer, were able to decrease crime in our area by 38 percent. Our program is proof that even when crime is down, homelessness in Harlem is still on the rise. Which is why I am adamant that these problems are related but are not directly correlated at all times”

There might be some improvement in the neighborhood. Crime rates have dropped from 2021 to the same 28-day period in 2022: burglaries are down 11.1 percent, felonious assaults down 20 percent, and robberies down 28.5 percent, according to the NYPD’s crime statistics from October 31, 2022, to November 6, 2022.

But neighbors still feel they have reason to worry. “I fear the worst can happen without anything being done for the safety of my family and this community,” concluded Maria Allen.