Residents of the East Village in Manhattan are expressing their concerns over the deteriorating conditions in the area, which they describe as a “s—thole.” The recent broad daylight stabbing incident on East 14th Street, resulting in one fatality and two injuries, has further highlighted the ongoing issues faced by locals.
Alejandro Piedra, 30, has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing. The incident occurred during a fight between homeless individuals at the corner of East 14th Street and Avenue A. Piedra is also facing two counts of attempted murder for slashing two other homeless individuals during the altercation.
According to long-time residents, the stretch of East 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A has been plagued by open drug use, unlicensed street vendors, and the presence of human waste on the sidewalks. The situation began to worsen around 2019, with homeless individuals camping near residential buildings and reports of drug paraphernalia becoming more common.
Kirsten Theodos, a former East Village resident, cited the unbearable conditions on 14th and First as the reason for her move. Other locals echoed similar sentiments, describing the current state of the area as the worst they have ever seen.
Council members Keith Powers and Carlina Rivera, representing the districts that straddle the affected stretch of 14th Street, have both expressed their concerns about the situation. Powers referred to it as “out of control,” while Rivera attributed the problems to underinvestment in mental health services.
Even former Democratic politician Anthony Weiner weighed in on the matter, suggesting that the NYPD should increase foot patrols in the area. However, law enforcement sources criticized Weiner’s involvement, highlighting that there were no fixed police posts near the mentioned Target store.
Despite the recent high-profile crimes, including the stabbing incident, crime rates in the area have actually decreased by 30% over the past year, according to police data from the NYPD’s 9th Precinct. Law enforcement sources emphasized that they are actively working to address the situation, but arresting homeless individuals for being homeless is not a viable solution.
The NYPD spokesperson acknowledged the efforts made by officers assigned to the precinct in reducing crime and addressing community concerns. They also mentioned the implementation of a dedicated foot post along 14th Street to address quality of life issues and maintain a visible police presence.
