Retired NYPD Chief John Chell has voiced strong criticism against Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to stop homeless encampment sweeps. According to a statement released by the official, Chell believes that ending such operations is a “dangerous gamble” and will likely lead to negative consequences for New York City.
In a recent post on social media platform X, Chell strongly challenged Mamdani’s plan to halt the clearing of homeless encampments. He argued that before implementing an end to interventions, it was essential to address housing shortages, improve shelter capacity, and provide treatment resources properly.
Chell stated, “Under current law, individuals generally cannot be forced into shelter — and many refuse services anyway. Ending street intervention programs without first creating adequate infrastructure is not a plan; it’s a gamble. The result will inevitably include more encampments, worsening conditions on the streets, and severe impacts on quality of life.”
Moreover, Chell emphasized that Mamdani’s rhetoric has been well-documented as promoting defunding the police department. He suggested that this may indicate broader plans to further weaken public safety efforts.
Chell also noted that although Mamdani had shifted from his original slogan calling for “defunding” NYPD in past campaigns, he still believes that diverting resources might not effectively solve homelessness issues.
NYC Homeless Policy Shift Sparks Concerns Amid Controversy
Retired NYPD Chief of Department John Chell has criticized Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s plan to cease homeless encampment sweeps. In a recent statement, Chell argued that ending such operations prematurely is a “dangerous gamble” and could exacerbate the city’s homelessness crisis.
Speaking through his official channels, Chell expressed reservations about the policy change, stating it was not based on a solid foundation for addressing New York City’s growing homeless population. He emphasized that interventions should focus on providing more housing options alongside enforcement strategies to effectively manage encampments.
“Under current regulations, we cannot simply assume everyone can be housed or treated,” Chell explained in his communication regarding this issue.
The official further noted concerns about Mamdani’s overall approach, suggesting it might weaken essential public safety measures.
