Dozens of families have created an illegal encampment underneath the Whitestone Expressway, near CitiField in Queens. The area is filled with dilapidated trailers where Spanish-speaking migrants live, running black-market auto-repair shops and car washes. Despite complaints from residents and merchants, the city has not taken any action to address the issue.
Local business owners, such as Luke Huwang from Empire State Autobody, have given up calling the police as they have seen no response. The illicit street dwellers are known to tap into fire hydrants for water, swipe electricity from light poles, and run their operations mostly overnight to avoid police attention. The encampment consists of nearly two dozen rundown RVs, motor homes, and campers, with only one vehicle having a legal license plate.
The situation has escalated over the past year, with the number of campers growing to nearly 100. The migrants have been accused of engaging in illegal activities, such as running unlicensed car washes and auto repair shops. Some of the occupants were initially displaced by the construction of a new $780 million soccer stadium near CitiField.
Neighbors have expressed concerns about the safety of the area, with reports of disputes being settled with machetes. The encampment has become a hub for illegal activities, with residents tapping into city water and electricity without authorization. Despite police raids on the black-market shops, the businesses continue to operate at night to avoid detection.
The NYPD has not provided any comment on the situation. Residents of the encampment, mostly non-English speakers, have declined to speak to the media. The encampment is believed to have stemmed from the displacement of auto shops and apartments due to the development of the new soccer stadium.
Local business owners like Brian Jung have witnessed the encampment growing over the past year, with occupants resorting to illegal means to sustain their lifestyle. The situation has become a cause of concern for the community, with residents calling for action to address the illegal activities taking place in their neighborhood.
In conclusion, the illegal encampment under the Whitestone Expressway has become a complex issue for the residents and merchants in the area. The lack of intervention from the city and law enforcement has allowed the situation to escalate, posing risks to the safety and well-being of the community. Efforts are needed to address the root causes of the encampment and find sustainable solutions for all parties involved.
