NYC won’t tear down street encampments, Mamdani says – as homeless people spotted camping out during historic blizzard

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said street encampments will not be torn down during one of New York City’s most severe blizzards, even as outreach teams continued offering shelter and some people declined. That decision and other high-profile actions had already drawn criticism, and the recent ignition of explosive devices outside his residence — with two Pennsylvania men arrested and an FBI terrorism probe underway — has heightened security concerns and intensified scrutiny of his leadership and emergency responses. His recent official statement on Intro. 1-B and Intro. 175-B further signals the administration’s effort to publicly define its policy priorities amid ongoing debate over homelessness, public safety, and use of city resources.