New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to halt sweeps of homeless encampments has drawn sharp criticism from former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, who warned the policy risks public safety amid rising street homelessness.
Speaking on December 6, Kelly declared, “No time for experiments,” arguing that encampments foster crime, drug use, and sanitation crises that demand immediate clearance, not coddling, Fox News reported.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist elected in November 2025, pledged to end the Adams-era practice of dismantling tents and belongings, favouring “housing first” models with outreach over enforcement.
What is Mamdani’s plan?
His plan echoes research-backed approaches prioritising permanent housing without preconditions like sobriety, which reduced chronic homelessness by 88% in Houston trials.
Supporters praise it as humane, noting NYC’s 123,000 unsheltered individuals need stability over disruption.
What did Kelly say?
Kelly countered that Mamdani’s shift ignores real-world dangers. Under Mayor Eric Adams, NYC cleared over 3,500 encampments since 2022, though only 114 accepted shelter, a low uptake Kelly attributes to insufficient coercion, according to New York Post.
“Encampments aren’t benign; they’re hotspots for violence and fentanyl overdoses,” Kelly said, citing subway sweeps that removed 1,500 sites with minimal housing success.
He urged continuing Adams’ $650 million Street Homelessness Solutions, expanding Safe Haven beds to 4,900 and “Bridge to Home” for mentally ill individuals cycling through hospitals.
The debate highlights partisan divides. Adams’ aggressive clearances, backed by Trump-era federal pushes for camping bans, prioritised safety but faced lawsuits for property destruction.
Mamdani’s incoming administration has planned 24/7 outreach with 900 new youth beds by 2026, aiming to build trust without sweeps. Critics like Kelly fear a return to pre-2022 chaos, when subways teemed with tents.
As Mamdani takes office on January 1, 2026, NYC’s homelessness crisis, fuelled by housing shortages and migration, will test his vision.