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40-Year-Old Homeless Man Found Dead Near LIC/Sunnnyside Border, Police Say

Jan. 22, 2018  By Nathaly Pesantez

A 40-year-old man was found dead over the weekend by the Sunnyside and Long Island City border.

Police found Ivan Avilla unconscious and unresponsive at a homeless encampment area around 34th Street and Queens Boulevard on Jan. 20, after receiving a 911 call at around 8:30 a.m., an NYPD spokesperson said.

34th Street and Queens Boulevard, the area where the deceased was found (Google Maps)

Avilla had no apparent signs of trauma, and was taken by EMS to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, where he was pronounced deceased, police say.

Avilla’s death is currently under investigation, and a cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner.

Avilla’s death comes five days after another homeless man was found dead at Thomas P Noonan Jr. playground by 43rd Street and Greenpoint Avenue.

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19 Comments

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Tom Buckley

This is the result of the policy of “deinstitutionalization ” the mental hospitals many years ago. These unfortunate souls were supposed to be released into “community outreach centers” but these centers were never funded nor materialized. Hence, the homeless were simply dumped into our streets.

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Tommy

I grow up in this area, been here over 60 years. The polices have be feeding us stats say every thing is great these cops don’t get out of the car unless there getting lunch,there is know way the reports could have any truth to them police find guns, three people shot, this is what we hear EVERY DAY. What do YOU THINK!!!!

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Anonymous

blame this on the mayor to keep the stats low this is what he wants — and for JVB also says crime is low — BS to both –

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Lic neighbor

May he RIP. There was a homeless encampment across the street from the firehouse bar on Skillman and 39th place where I saw several men sleeping and drinking in a cove entranceway to a unoccupied warehouse, dangerous situation if a young woman walking by can easily be dragged in and raped as it happened several years ago in Flushing Meadows Park where a 42 year immigrant from Cuba and living in Corona Qns was strolling in the park with her boyfriend, he was knocked out and she was dragged into a desolate area to a hobo camp near the Long Island Railroad, NYPD brought in canine units followed the scent they unleashed the dogs who tore into several men who were taking turns. This occurred in Dec 2002. NYTimes had an article so did all the major papers; needless to say of all arrested only one had legal permanent residence status. So if you see an encampment, steer clear. You can see groups of them in Noonan Park on 43rd St or inside the Sunnyside branch library just sitting there occupying the chairs which should be reserved for our kids At the library. Many are alcoholics, glue sniffers undocumented aliens, others are just trying to make a living and down on their luck. There is something wrong with this picture.

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Anonymous

you should be addressing this issue about them in the library with Mr. JVB he is in charge of the libraries — this is just horrible — this should not be allowed – he should be aware of what is going on in this neighborhood but apparently he does not care —

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Anonymous

I wonder if it was the homeless guy that lived in Sunnyside for like 20 years. He was always under the el or near White Castles. That is sad may he rest in peace

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Kelly M

For the safety of the homeless and public, loitering laws must be enforced and instead of jail these people should be brought to full service shelters (not neighborhood shelters) that are safe. The neighborhood shelter and welfare hotel system is a con. The only one benefiting are hotel owners everyone else is getting screwed.

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PN

You don’t seem to know the laws around homelessness and housing, as is evidenced by your statement. I don’t have the patience to school you, but get yourself an education.

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PN

I do. I also know that you can’t FORCE anyone into a shelter, and you can’t arrest people for being homeless or for “loitering” on a public sidewalk. DHS and the non-profits they work with meet all of the requirements of Callahan. So, try again.

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Me

Homeless encampment area? This homeless issue is becoming a problem, why isn’t local politicians doing something about it? Putting them in shelters is not a solution.

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Anonymous

It is a problem, but shelters don’t and shouldn’t take intoxicated people. The only actual solution is forced treatment in a mental health and/or rehab facility, but its impossible to put people in a facility against their will unless they commit a crime. This is why shelters are filled with families and others in need who go there voluntarily. Sadly, for the mentally ill and substance abusers, the “solution” for homelessness is exactly what happened to this guy.

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Orrin Hatch's invisible eye glasses routine

Anonymous- there is no public health and rehab safety net. Most health plans will cover 30 days in. That’s why you see these guys back so soon after they’re taken in. America uses it prison system to handle the mentally ill, that’s why the overwhelming majority of prison wardens have petitioned Congress for additional funding for mental health facilities. Instead of pumping hundreds of millions to welfare hotel owners every year we could expand the mental health facilities at some of the city hospitals.

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