NYC’s Hooverville revival: Letters to the Editor — July 15, 2026

Mayor Zohran Mamdani holds a press conference to make a transportation announcement on Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn, New York on July 8, 2026. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

The Issue: Mayor Mamdani delays on clearing a large homeless encampment on the West Side.

Mayor Mamdani has turned a blind eye to drug use, prostitution and disease-infected homeless encampments at the expense of Manhattan’s West Side businesses and residents (“Zo-ing back to bad ol’ days,” July 15).

If it continues, we might return to the Hoovervilles of the 1930s.

This is just another socialist agenda to drive taxpaying New Yorkers out of the state.

Joseph Valente

Staten Island

The Post’s characterization of the homeless situation on the West Side is an exaggeration, the city’s response less so.

The problem is bigger than any one mayoral administration.

The so-called “hellscape” near the Intrepid is the downstream result of the affordable-housing crisis, our misguided approach to mental health and the fallout from the ongoing drug-addiction crisis in America.

Let’s not misunderstand who is in distress here.

Citizen onlookers may not like what they see, but we have the good fortune of being able to go home after we see it.

Todd Broockerd

Brooklyn

Vagrants occupying the encampment near the Intrepid Museum may regard the mayor as a hero.

But most New Yorkers who value safety and quality of life view him as a Marxist maniac who puts their neighborhoods and lives at risk.

Allowing homeless encampments to flourish reflects the Democrat Socialists of America’s doctrine of “equity” eclipsing effective and responsible governance.

Richard Reif

Kew Gardens Hills

Do we need any more proof that Mamdani wants to tear down our city to build it into a communist paradise?

He could care less about these encampments destroying our tourist industry.

What about the people who live in the neighborhoods who have to see homeless people urinating and defecating in the street?

Saul J. Mishaan

Brooklyn

The expansion of tent cities throughout New York City is an utter disgrace.

Mamdani’s administration contends that social workers need to talk to these vagrants in an attempt to appease them.

Any judicious person knows that the vast majority of these homeless people are oblivious to any rational conversation.

Denis David

East Rockaway

The Issue: Mick Jagger’s comments on Bruce Springsteen’s political rants at his concerts.

Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger seems like the only rock singer who’s got the nerve to speak up about other stars voicing their opinions about political issues (“Mick-ing the right choice,” Kirsten Fleming, July 14).

We go to concerts for entertainment and fun.

I’m sick and tired of those singers trying to turn a concert into a political show.

Rob Johann

Woodhaven

As soon as an entertainer lectures, I’m immediately turned off.

I was the biggest “Sex and the City” fan but then they went political.

I never watched the new show.

I won’t attend a concert or see a movie after the musician or actor spouts politics.

Kudos to Mick Jagger.

Carol Meltzer

Manhattan

Mick Jagger cast shade on Bruce Springsteen’s recent anti-Trump concert tour, saying fans don’t come to concerts to hear a lecture.

What I found laughable was that David Marchese of The New York Times said Springsteen “sees his job as engaging in a meaningful back and forth.”

There’s nothing back and forth about what Springsteen does on stage.

If he really wants to be taken seriously outside of his remaining gullible fan base, I dare him to challenge President Trump to a one-on-one televised debate.

Eugene Dunn

Glen Burnie, Md.

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