Sarah Feinberg, the MTA’s interim president (Image via MTA)
April 2020, By Michael Dorgan
The MTA has called on City Hall to find a solution to the growing homeless problem and said that the subway system must not turn into a homeless shelter.
Sarah Feinberg, the MTA’s interim president, said in a statement Tuesday that the number of homeless people seeking refuge in the subway has surged since the coronavirus outbreak. She said that the city needs to do more to protect riders.
Feinberg said that the MTA has taken steps over the past year to combat the homeless problem such as hiring extra cleaning staff, bringing on more MTA cops and working with homeless advocacy groups.
She is calling for the city to step in and help the agency given the recent influx – although she was unclear as to how the administration should intervene.
Her appeal for help comes after multiple calls from elected officials and civic groups to shut down the subway– at least temporarily. The officials say the trains are filthy contributing to the spread of COVID-19.
In recent weeks videos have surfaced showing homeless people on the subway stretched out along seats with all of their belongings. There have also been several reports of unruly behavior by the homeless population riding the subway.
The agency says its staff should not have to clean up the mess left behind by the homeless population.
“The MTA workforce shouldn’t have to clean up trash, personal belongings, soiled items, drug paraphernalia, excrement and bodily fluids,” Feinberg said.
“Our customers shouldn’t have to board a car that has multiple people using it as a shelter and as a trash receptacle or toilet,” she said.
Critics argue that the homeless population has been drawn to the subway since shelters are viewed as coronavirus hotspots. For instance, as of Sunday, 55 people who were part of the shelter system had died as a result of COVID-19, according to the city’s Department of Social Services.
Feinberg said that the MTA has done all it can to address the problem but is unable to provide the aid and care the homeless need.
“We aren’t a social-services agency or health-care provider, and we have limited expertise in the unique challenges of mental illness or homelessness, Feinberg said in a statement Tuesday.
“Simply put, we are, under no circumstances, the right people to tackle this problem,” she said.
She said that the MTA is now changing its code of conduct to make it “abundantly clear that the transit system must be used by people for transport only — not for sheltering, sleeping, storing belongings or panhandling.”
She said that the new regulation will be enforced in close coordination with the NYPD and the MTAPD.
Feinberg slammed City Hall, claiming that it had neglected the problem. She said the city must address the issue and make it a priority.
The mayor announced Monday that he is taking steps to tackle the issue. He said the city will be opening 200 new Safe Haven beds this week prioritizing people who live on the subway or on the street.
He has also called on the MTA to shutter 10 “end of the line” subway stations from midnight to 5 a.m. each day for extra cleaning. When the stations close, the homeless will be required to exit and will be offered services by DHS and NYPD Homeless Outreach.
“Our COVID-19 response must prioritize the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” de Blasio said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to strengthen our subway and street outreach to ensure that every New Yorker who needs a place to sleep will get one.”
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7 Comments
@hashtagger- Nothing but a Fox slogan as a response. Typical of you. Another feeble weak minded attempt to defend your orange dotard of a cult leader. No attempt by you to dispute the content of my post.
Mac gets his news from Pravda. Alexandria is that you? Trump Derangement Syndrome is a serious disease.
Mike – This pandemic has exposed the sabotage of America. A president who failed to acknowledge the severity of a global pandemic, a man who doesn’t read briefs by his own intelligence people. A country that has not prosecuted companies and individuals who hire illegal alien labor because a handful of powerful people profit from the law breaking. Local governments that don’t enforce occupancy and building codes housing many of if not most of these illegal aliens. A system that ties healthcare to employment. A country where a huge segment of the population doesn’t even have enough saved to weather a short term financial crisis. People’s whose salaries have been suppressed by the use of illegal alien labor. A country tricked and deceived by a right wing media outlet that constantly tricks and deceives them into voting against their very own best interest. Is this the truth you’re speaking of?
In addition to being the worst mayor ever DeBlasio is a disgusting human being for allowing the subways to deteriorate into what they have become during this crisis. It was a cheap way to house the homeless. Between totally unprepared hospitals and subways filled with homeless people NYC is no different than a third world city. And to all you phony New Yorkers who aren’t from here originally anyway and ran away to the Jersey shore or the Hampton’s don’t come back. We only want the real New Yorkers.
Rise fares and add more police!
Oh wait, that solves NOTHING
Put them in one of those ‘affordable’ apartment buildings in Queens
New York City’s tourism industry will be difficult to restart. Finally people are telling the truth around here for a change and no body is daring to shut them up.