Massive Migrant Shelter Sparks Chaos At Brooklyn City Council Hearing

A Brooklyn City Council hearing on Monday turned chaotic over concerns about a migrant shelter that opened last summer, following a recent stabbing incident near the facility.

Councilmember Crystal Hudson mentioned the stabbing in her remarks, saying, “There was an incident earlier today — it’s not the first incident, I hope it will be the last — there was a stabbing that was at the park.”

Her comments ignited an uproar among attendees, who accused her of dodging the core issue.

“You are avoiding this issue,” one man shouted. “Is there a universe where the city can safely house 3,200 single men together?”

“It can’t!” others yelled back.

“It is unsafe! It is unsafe!” multiple voices chimed in.

Hudson attempted to redirect the crowd’s frustration towards City Hall and Mayor Eric Adams, criticizing the lack of support from the mayor’s office.

“We have literally said exactly what you just said … I understand the frustration. I get it … But my office has done everything we can,” Hudson said.

In a statement to the New York Post, Hudson’s spokesperson reiterated her criticism of the mayor’s office.

“We’ve seen people come together to routinely provide material support for migrants. However, individual generosity doesn’t preclude the government’s need to steer collective action, and so far the mayor’s office has failed in that regard,” he said.

“There is a need for the city to provide additional resources to address the emerging challenges facing new and longtime residents alike as well as sharing a vision for a long-term strategy that we can all work toward across the five boroughs,” he added.

Mayor Adams himself has previously expressed frustration with the Biden administration for not providing sufficient support. After a trip to Washington, D.C., in March to seek more federal assistance, Adams acknowledged the toll the migrant crisis has taken on city resources.

“Our residents are weary, our residents are angry, our residents are seeing the impact of the migrant and asylum seeker issue, how it is taking away from the resources that should go to the day-to-day services of running the city,” Adams said.

The hearing occurred a week after a stabbing incident outside the shelter involving a fight over scooters. A 22-year-old migrant was stabbed by Cristian Concepcion, 25, after an argument escalated. The victim survived, but Concepcion, identified as a criminal alien from Venezuela, was arrested and charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing.

Joke: “Maybe they should install a suggestion box at the shelter. But knowing the crowd, they might need a few more security guards to protect it!”