Squatter encampments on the UWS

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Manhattan: Re Deborah Berkman’s “Homeless New Yorkers belong in hotels now” (op-ed, Aug. 27): For the last three years, I’ve documented the unbridled proliferation of squatter encampments, but I must make an important distinction in terms: “Homeless” usually refers to persons who have been displaced, usually by circumstance, sometimes by choice, who are in need of safe shelter, medical services and daily provisions. “Public squatters,” on the other hand, are usually able-bodied males who choose to live in any public space of choice, usually under a poled scaffolding, with total disregard for area residents or businesses. Squatters attract squatters and encampments result.

For the last three years, squatter encampments have grown exponentially on the Upper West Side. Residents have been exposed to daily harassment, human feces on school sidewalks, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. And, as if three-years-plus decay wasn’t bad enough, suddenly, in the dark of night, 700 shelter clients were bused and dumped, (yes, dumped) in our neighborhood, without warning or proper logistical, medical and maintenance support. These men were being warehoused with little or no support. This is what the true crimes were. Trafficking, yes trafficking. Where is the humanity in that scenario?

No, we are not the racists or NIMBYs, as some assert. We are witnesses to the chaos that many of Berkman’s colleagues have created in our community under the pretext of helping the 700 men from COVID-19. Progressive policies and profit got us here. We can only hope that this situation is temporary, so that we can begin to recover from the uncertainty, the disruptions and the pain that this has caused all. Joseph Bolanos

president, West 76th Street Block Association

Look within

Floral Park: The mayor keeps blabbing about laying off 20,000-plus city workers due to budget shortfalls. Those jobs are necessary to keep the city safe and functioning. How about the 30,000-plus jobs (including those his wife’s staff ) who were added to the city payroll since he took office? Let’s start with that! Irv Leshkowitz

Made your bed

Kissimmee, Fla.: As a former 15-year member of the Tactical Patrol Force, there is something I would like to say: The people of New York City deserve everything they get. Riots, looting, shootings, robberies, homicides, homes and businesses destroyed, for electing Mayor de Blasio twice, and liberal district attorneys and ADAs who are willing to let felons out with no bail. You have to correct all this before you can even think about bringing back TPF. I can’t imagine how people feel seeing the value of their homes and businesses go down the tubes. I wonder if

people of this great city have the balls to change it.

John Gunther

Transported out

Milford, Pa.: $12 billion more for the MTA? They will be back in six months asking for more. In the meantime, they want drivers to pay even more for a service they don’t use? Imagine paying $20 to cross the Verrazzano Bridge, which doesn’t even take you out of the city? Fares should be $4, and those who use the subway system should pay for it. When will people realize that the MTA is nothing more than a money pit? That’s why I left. I got tired of paying for the “privilege” of living in NYC. Robert K. Greco

Disarming

Lackawaxen, Pa.: Walter B. Levis’ “Police shootings in perspective,” (op-ed, Aug. 28) provides ample evidence that NYPD officers face minuscule risk of harm from perpetrators’ firearms and discharge their own weapons very rarely in enforcing the law. One conclusion might be that a firearm is not a necessary piece of police equipment, and that firearms be restricted to special units or be kept in patrol car locked boxes accessible only with supervisory approval.

John A. MacKinnon

Social studies

Glen Head, L.I.: I am trying to understand the “defund the police” movement. If you are being robbed, assaulted, shot, threatened, if your home or business is being looted, and you call 911, their plan is to send a social worker to your rescue? Robert Kralick

Top cop

Flushing: What can you say about PBA boss Patrick Lynch? He’s the head racistin-charge, a thug, just an all-around piece of youknow-what. A guy who’s done absolutely nothing for this city. Here’s a guy whose rank and file could end up facing layoffs, and he endorses the guy who’s the reason, because he won’t give states the resources they need! Just like Trump, he likes the title, but lacks the leadership! Joseph Gross

The meh outdoors

Brooklyn: As a retired NYC schoolteacher, I must respond

UFT cage match

BARRY WILLIAMS/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS sense, conscience and survival! Ron Isaac to Mayor de Blasio’s plan to use outdoor space as classrooms. In a suburban area with more outdoor space, this might work. However, in a city, this is not a well-thought-out plan, and giving principals a week to come up with a plan is not realistic. School opening should be postponed so that all the plans the mayor and the chancellor have come up with can be fully thought out, so that students and teachers will be safe.

Rhonda Greenberg

Fresh Meadows: Listen to what the United Federation of Teachers is saying, and stop spinning their message. They’re not itching to strike. It sounds like that would be a last resort only to protect lives that otherwise would be at risk. Major elected leaders who are unaffiliated with the teachers union happen to agree with them based on the merits of science. Their concurrence with the UFT is not symptomatic of a nefarious alliance. The teachers union’s position is not a politicallymotivated ploy. It is a courageous stand by principled and compassionate people It is the rallying cry of duty, common

The final countdown

Bronx: That pompous horse’s ass de Blasio has a “Countdown to Election Day” marker on the desk where he gives his daily briefings. He should have a countdown to January 1, 2022, when the new mayor will be sworn in. De Blasio is probably the only politician in this city who would lose if he ran against Trump, he is that hated! He wants his inept wife to run for Brooklyn borough president? Fugghedaboutit. They should leave now! Joe Kowalczyk

Emergency room

Jacksonville, Fla.: So Jacob Blake of Kenosha was shot seven times point-blank in his back by a rogue cop, is paralyzed, lying in a hospital bed and handcuffed to his bed rail in the hospital? The man is paralyzed from the waist down. First this cop mutilates this young father of three, holding the back of his shirt already tight, and in front of his three sons! I have a question: Why isn’t this attempted murderer cop handcuffed and in a jail cell now?

Carl J.C.-Hafner