Rockland Reporter

Assemblyman John McGowan (R,C-Pearl River) stood alongside members of the Assembly Minority Conference today as they tackled the pressing issue of squatting in New York City. The focus was on addressing necessary changes to state property laws to combat this growing problem.

During the gathering, landlords and small property owners voiced their concerns, highlighting the imbalance in rights between squatters and property owners. McGowan emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "The fact that we had to reach this point is unbelievable. A woman has been murdered by people who had clearly trespassed into her home, but we still have laws in place to protect the trespasser. This is completely unacceptable. We need immediate change and these 'squatters' need to answer for their actions."

One particularly tragic incident shared during the meeting was the story of Nadia Vitels, who tragically lost her life at the hands of squatters in her deceased mother's Manhattan home. This heartbreaking account underscored the real and dangerous consequences of the current legal framework.

In another instance from Queens, a woman found herself in legal trouble after attempting to secure her property by changing the locks to prevent squatters from reentering. These cases shed light on the challenges faced by property owners in dealing with squatting issues.

The proposed solution, outlined in the introduced proposal A.6894, seeks to redefine criminal trespass to include squatting, thereby holding individuals engaging in such activities legally accountable.

As the discussion continues and efforts are made to address the complexities of squatting in New York, the Assembly Minority Conference's united front signals a commitment to finding a resolution that safeguards both property rights and public safety.