Midtown Manhattan's '8th Ave. Corridor' plagued by junkies lying at tourists' feet, fighting in the streets
What experiences did Leah McVeigh and her colleagues have after moving their office to a building off the Eighth Avenue Corridor?
Leah McVeigh and her colleagues experienced a significant change in their daily office environment after moving their office to a building off the Eighth Avenue Corridor. They found addicts passed out in their doorway, and dealers set up shop under construction scaffolding next door. Employees ferrying expensive lighting equipment into the office were regularly confronted by shady characters offering help in exchange for money after late-night jobs. The situation made them feel unsafe, with McVeigh describing it as feeling like they were skirting potential disaster 24/7.
How has the crime rate, particularly drug-related arrests, changed in the Midtown South Precinct over the past few years?
The crime rate, particularly drug-related arrests, in the Midtown South Precinct has been on the rise over the past few years. According to the latest stats from the NYPD, there have been at least 423 drug-related arrests in the two square-miles of the Midtown South Precinct so far this year, which is an increase of roughly 100 busts over the same period last year. In 2022, there were 1,244 drug arrests made in the precinct, while at least 1,188 drug arrests were made across the precinct in 2021. This rising trend has been climbing since before the pandemic. The Midtown South Precinct has some of the highest drug arrest numbers in the city, rivaling Harlem and the South Bronx.
How have the presence of needle exchanges, addiction clinics, and homeless shelters impacted the Eighth Avenue corridor according to locals?
The presence of needle exchanges, addiction clinics, and homeless shelters in the Eighth Avenue corridor has led to a significant impact on the local community, according to residents and business owners in the area. They have described the corridor as a "strip of despair," where drug addicts and homeless individuals congregate, often causing disturbances and engaging in criminal activities. The concentration of social services in the area has reportedly attracted people struggling with addiction and mental health issues, leading to increased drug-related arrests and a general sense of insecurity among locals.
Business owners have complained about finding addicts passed out in their doorways and experiencing harassment from individuals demanding money. Commuters and tourists using the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Penn Station are also exposed to these issues, as the corridor serves as a gateway to New York City for hundreds of thousands of people each day. Locals have expressed concerns about the safety of the area, with some stating that they feel constantly at risk of encountering a dangerous situation.
Fed-up residents and business leaders have been fighting for years to get the city to address the issue and relocate some of the social services to other areas. They argue that the current situation is not only detrimental to their quality of life but also harmful to the image of New York City for tourists and visitors.