NYPD tows Bronx father’s RV, leaving family without home, amid encampment crackdown
The father says he spent thousands of dollars on the RV as a way to escape New York City’s high rent, pointing to comptroller data showing most renters are considered rent-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on housing.
More Stories
A Bronx father says his family was left without a home after the NYPD towed his RV from Bronx Boulevard — part of a broader effort to clear a growing encampment in Williamsbridge.
“It was frustrating,” the 38-year-old construction worker said. “I’m not doing nothing illegal… we don’t bother no one.”
The father says he spent thousands of dollars on the RV as a way to escape New York City’s high rent, pointing to comptroller data showing most renters are considered rent-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on housing.
“A lot of us are trying to do our best at following the rules… we’re just trying to survive New York City,” he said.
But police say not everyone in the encampment has followed regulations. Many RV owners received warnings weeks ago, stating their vehicles would be towed if left parked along Bronx Boulevard for extended periods.
While some neighbors say the RVs themselves aren’t a problem, illegal dumping has become a major concern. Authorities say some campers have been leaving sewage pipes open, allowing waste to spill onto the street.
“If somebody dumps near me, who gets blamed — not them, me,” the man said. “I look like the bad guy, the dirty guy.”
The father insists his vehicle is properly registered and says he’s being penalized for the actions of others.
“I’m not mad at them — if this is how we’re gonna live, then we have to do the right thing,” he said.
Police towed at least three vehicles during the operation. Owners can reclaim them from the impound lot, but residents say the cost is out of reach.
For families living in the RVs, the crackdown has become a constant game of cat and mouse — and another hurdle in a city they say is becoming harder to afford.
