New York State is moving forward with the demolition of the Creedmoor Refugee Camp near Alley Pond Park in Bayside, Queens. On February 13th, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assembly Member Ed Braunstein, and New York City Council Member Linda Lee issued a joint statement announcing that they had received the final plan for the camp’s demolition from the Governor’s Office.
The Creedmoor Refugee Camp was established in July 2023 on the site of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital to accommodate 1,000 asylum seekers. However, residents have persistently called for its closure due to concerns over its proximity to elementary schools and social welfare facilities.
Last November, the camp garnered further attention when a refugee staying there was arrested after taking a bus to New York to escape a police chase related to a shooting incident in Florida. This event led to the installation of metal detectors at the refugee camp as an added security measure.
Councilwoman Linda Lee expressed gratitude to the Governor for listening to the concerns of residents, stating, “I would like to thank Governor Hokule for listening to the needs of the local residents, and I will work closely with the state to ensure that the camp is removed as soon as possible.”