Councilmember Zhuang to propose bill to track squatters in NYC
The bill comes after News 12 reported in April on squatters at a home on 67th Street in Dyker Heights, which is in Zhuang's district.
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A Brooklyn councilmember is proposing a new local law to track the locations of squatters throughout the city.
"Right now, there is no system showing the data what squatter is doing to our community," said Councilmember Susan Zhuang, who represents the 43rd District.
Zhuang is introducing a bill at Thursday's City Council meeting, that would require the NYPD, in collaboration with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications and other related agencies, to issue quarterly reports on the locations where squatters have been reported in the city.
"It will show the data, what we need to do for our elected officials and the public," said Zhuang. "How we should response for this issue and what agency can help the homeowner."
The bill comes after News 12 reported in April on squatters at a home on 67th Street in Dyker Heights, which is in Zhuang's district.
News 12 spoke with a neighbor who asked to only use his first name, Ming.
He confirms the squatters are still inside the home that's been boarded up following several fires.
"We constantly call the cops, and you know every week a couple times but things never be resolved" said Ming.
Zhuang said she will also soon be proposing a resolution to the city council to get their support behind a new state bill sponsored by Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.
The bill would change the definition of a tenant, by outlining who qualifies as a squatter, it would extend the time necessary to become a legal tenant from 30 days to 60 days and the bill would also make the act of squatting criminal trespass.
"It should be criminal case not just a civil matter," said Zhuang "It's not a tenant and a landlord case they should not be considered as a tenant, they have no lease, no right to stay there."
