Mamdani’s encampment policy draws criticism near the Intrepid Museum

The sprawling homeless encampment stretching for nearly 12 blocks along Manhattan’s West Side is alarming people who live, work and visit nearby; many tell Fox News Digital that the city isn’t doing enough to address the tents, trash and reported illegal activity.

“I think it’s a shame,” one woman, who did not want to reveal her last name, told Fox News Digital near the camp.

A nearby construction site security guard who identified himself only as “Joe the Dogman” also criticized the city’s response. “I don’t think enough has been done,” he said.

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Mamdani initially fulfilled his early campaign promise by pausing camp sweeps after taking office, but later implemented a revised removal policy that gave homeless services teams seven days to conduct outreach before dismantling a camp.

“They should clean them up, stay on top of them,” Joe said. “This seven-day thing or whatever it is right now, it’s really not working.”

City outreach workers visited the camp this week and found they were primarily collecting trash while most tents remained in place.

Joe told Fox News Digital he believes police should be given more authority to enforce the city’s rules.

“I think we need to enforce and give the police the right to do their job,” he said.

NYPD officers patrol near camps on Manhattan’s West Side on July 15, 2026. (John M. Taggart/Fox News Digital)

Encampments near the Museum of the Brave have been subject to complaints about blocked sidewalks, litter and illegal activity.

“Terrible,” said Joe. “Drugs, prostitution and everything in between.”

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A woman walks past tents and items near the Museum of the Brave in New York City on July 15, 2026. (John M. Taggart/Fox News Digital)

Some people at the camp appeared to be receiving electricity from utility poles, prompting the NYPD to respond Tuesday.

“NYPD has not been given the green light to clear this encampment, but we are prepared to do so,” an NYPD spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The New York Post reported that sex workers brought clients into tents and nearby bathrooms, based on interviews with people in the area. Fox News Digital has not independently verified this claim.

A person sleeps next to a camp near the Brave Museum on July 15, 2026. (John M. Taggart/Fox News Digital)

The camp stretches from 34th Street to 46th Street along 11th Street. The campsite’s proximity to the Brave Museum and Javits Center has also raised concerns about its impact on tourism.

Karen, a visitor from Belgium, said she was disappointed by the government’s failure to support the homeless.

“It’s sad that they didn’t get the support they were promised,” Karen said. “I don’t know how things work in America, but yes, just like a politician promises to help people, he should help everyone.”

A woman wanders through a homeless camp near the Museum of the Brave in New York City on July 15, 2026. (John M. Taggart/Fox News Digital)

Mamdani has made expanding housing assistance and changing the city’s treatment of homeless New Yorkers a key part of his mayoral campaign. The socialist mayor promised to expand the city’s housing voucher program but later appealed a court decision requiring the expansion of that program. his administration appeal said An expansion that would be financially sustainable in the medium and long term had to be sustained.

“It’s a shame. We have so much wealth in this city,” Joan said of the conditions and the city’s inability to accommodate people living on the streets.

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A portion of the sidewalk near the Brave Museum is filled with tents, cars and personal items on July 15, 2026. (John M. Taggart/Fox News Digital)

“I’m willing to pay more,” he continued. “Taxpayer dollars help people who don’t have a place to stay; they give them shelter, they give them food, they help them get an education, they help them find a job, whatever it may be.”

Although Mamdani announced earlier this week that the camps would be cleared, he did not give a specific timetable.

Mamdani’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

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“Make this a better place for everyone, make it a better place for tourists,” Joan said.

“This is not a great look for us,” he continued. “It’s a great city. We can do better.”