Q&A
Discussion on DSNY's response to illegal dumping and homeless encampments
0:23:45
ยท
74 sec
Council Member Julie Won inquires about the Department of Sanitation's (DSNY) response to illegal dumping on the site. The applicant, Steven Bari, describes a complex situation involving multiple agencies and a homeless encampment.
- Bari mentions an incident where a homeless encampment was eventually removed by DOT using two garbage trucks
- The removal process involved multiple agencies, including DSNY, DOT, and homeless services
- Bari highlights the difficulty in resolving issues due to the location's unique status and lack of clear ownership
Julie Won
0:23:45
And, what about for DSNY for illegal dumping on the site?
Steven Bari
0:23:50
In terms of that, I'm it depends because the accessibility to the area.
0:23:58
For example, there was a homeless person there who created an encampment.
0:24:05
It went to DSNY, and then it moved to DOT, and then it moved to homeless services back to DNY, and then someone, DSNY, and then someone eventually, I believe DOT, got 2 garbage trucks to haul away the encampment.
0:24:21
Mhmm.
0:24:22
And this was pre COVID.
0:24:23
So this is 2018.
0:24:25
But, again, because of the location of the area, the ramp itself not being really part of the city, Mhmm.
0:24:34
And nobody wants to take ownership of it.
0:24:36
So if there is an issue, there is no way to resolve it.
Julie Won
0:24:40
Well, it sounds like they were responsive because they removed the homeless encampments.
Steven Bari
0:24:44
The homeless resolving an issue after years of neglect, and that encampment built up over time.
0:24:51
It wasn't that it suddenly appeared 1 day, and then it was removed that same day.
0:24:55
It was years, in some cases, decades of activity on the premises.