Jul 17, 2009 6:10 am US/Eastern
Trendy NYC Enclave Overrun By 'Gutter Punks'
It Appears Transients From All Over The Globe Converging On Bohemian Williamsburg -- And Residents Are Furious
Panhandling, Drugs Taking Over Parts Of Hip Brooklyn Neighborhood
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CBS) ―
There's a neighborhood in Brooklyn that's known for being trendy and hip, but some residents say the Bohemian reputation is drawing a group of transient people from around the world known as "gutter punks" and it's now turning into a squatter invasion.
And as CBS station WCBS-TV found out some are fighting to get them out of the neighborhood.
Some call Northside Williamsburg along Bedford Avenue the new Greenwich Village, with lots of families and trendy shops and restaurants.
But in the last few months residents say they're being invaded by hordes of "gutter punks" who sleep on the street.
"They have the long dreads; they wear black usually a dog; there's about four or five of them and they're collecting money to get a $1.25 slice of pizza which they invariably are munching on a little bit later," Williamsburg resident Lilly Ardell said.
Community activist Evan Thies said it's a serious problem.
"They have been using hard drugs such as heroin in public, and leaving dangerous remnants behind …needles, baggies, things that could seriously harm a child," Thies said.
Thies said the folks are homeless and are squatting in vacant lots and construction sites where they can sneak in through the gate. WCBS-TV talked to a young woman, who preferred the term "traveler" versus "gutter punk," and said while some of her friends do hard drugs that's not the case for everyone.
"I don't do drugs at all, I've never done anything," she said. "I smoked weed before; I drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes."
She came from California, and said many "travelers" are like migrant workers, picking up odd jobs here and there and then moving on. She sells jewelry and chose this transient life right after high school.
"I'll usually work and save up money and then hit the road, but I'll also panhandle here and there if I need to, if I need to eat than I need to eat, you gotta do what you gotta do I guess," the woman said.
Thies said if police don't crack down on this growing problem the neighborhood could be in for a nightmare of crime and violence.
Police said they are monitoring the area, but have not seen an increase in crime or vagrants.
Some in the neighborhood are also concerned that when summer ends and the weather gets nasty problems will escalate.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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