Residents OUTRAGED – City HIDES Changes!

Brooklyn residents have camped out for over a month to protest a planned homeless shelter they say will bring crime to their neighborhood, vowing to maintain their round-the-clock demonstration until city officials abandon the controversial project.

At a Glance 

  • Sheepshead Bay protesters have maintained a 24/7 presence for five weeks against a proposed 169-family homeless shelter on Coyle Street
  • Residents feel deceived after the city initially promised affordable housing but switched to plans for a homeless shelter
  • Local Chinese American community leads the protest with support from businesses donating food and resources
  • Protesters express concerns about safety due to the site’s proximity to schools and daycare centers
  • The shelter is scheduled to open in 2027, pending permit approvals

Community Takes Unprecedented Stand

Residents of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn have transformed their opposition to a proposed homeless shelter into a round-the-clock demonstration that has lasted over five weeks. The protest centers on 2134 Coyle Street, where the city plans to build a facility for 169 homeless families. Locals have established a tent encampment to ensure constant vigilance over the site, organizing themselves into shifts to maintain an unbroken presence designed to block any unauthorized construction activity. 

“Everyday. Anytime, until there’s no homeless shelter. Until the project is gone,” said Danny Pan, one of the protest organizers. 

The demonstration has received widespread support from the surrounding community, with local businesses donating food and other necessities to sustain the protesters. Someone even provided a portable toilet to help maintain the continuous occupation. Most participants in the protest come from the area’s Chinese American community, many of whom are older residents deeply concerned about neighborhood safety.

Broken Promises Fuel Resident Anger

At the heart of the controversy is what residents perceive as a bait-and-switch from city officials. The site was originally approved for a mixed-use development that would include affordable housing units. However, after the original developer withdrew from the project, plans shifted to a homeless shelter proposed by Westhab, a not-for-profit developer. This change occurred without adequate community consultation, according to protesters and local elected officials.

“They tricked us. They lied. And when you lie — the truth always comes out,” said Michelle Crisafulli, a local resident participating in the protests.

City Council member Mercedes Narcisse, who organized early protests, has criticized the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Though city officials informed her of the change in July 2023, she maintains that proper community involvement was lacking. The abrupt shift in plans has eroded trust between residents and municipal leadership, with many protesters explicitly stating they no longer believe assurances from city officials. 

Safety Concerns Drive Opposition

Protesters have consistently cited safety concerns as their primary motivation for opposing the shelter. The proposed location sits near several schools and daycare centers, raising anxiety among parents and educators. Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa joined the protests to spotlight these issues, emphasizing potential risks to community safety and alleging financial motives behind the shelter’s placement. 

“A homeless shelter means uncontrolled men and others roaming the streets with no oversight whatsoever. No vetting, no medical checks, because it’s a money game. There are contracts. And from that, there are kickbacks. You make more money housing homeless people and then building affordable housing,” said Curtis Silwa.

Protesters have also reported catching construction crews allegedly working at unusual hours, further intensifying their vigilance. Though a court order eventually forced demonstrators to allow workers onto the site, they have continued their protest from the sidewalk. The Department of Social Services has attempted to address safety concerns by stating that Westhab would provide security and community patrols, but these assurances have done little to alleviate community apprehension. 

Looking Ahead

The shelter is not expected to open until 2027, pending various permit approvals. Westhab maintains they have followed all proper procedures including community notification, while pledging to help homeless families secure permanent housing and integrate positively with the neighborhood. City Hall has emphasized that the shelter would prioritize housing families from the community and has expressed willingness to collaborate with residents to address concerns. 

“They’re cheating, they’re lying. I don’t trust what the Mayor says. He turned the city into the City of Yes, he imported 100,000 migrants over here… He doesn’t care about our neighborhood. South Brooklyn,” said Danny Pan. 

Despite these assurances, protesters remain committed to their cause, vowing to continue their demonstration indefinitely. The ongoing standoff highlights the challenges municipalities face when addressing homelessness while balancing neighborhood concerns and the importance of transparent community engagement in urban development decisions.

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