Dozens of Queens residents gathered on Sunday to call for the shutdown of an East Elmhurst migrant shelter where a Venezuelan national accused of shooting two NYPD officers had been staying. Around 60 residents and officials held a rally outside the 90th Street building, which was converted from a Courtyard Marriott hotel into a shelter for asylum seekers and is the former home of Bernardo Castro Mata, the 19-year-old accused cop shooter.
Former city councilman and state lawmaker Hiram Monserrate criticized the over-saturation of homeless shelters in the area, arguing that government has failed to address the issue. He claimed that recent events, such as the shooting incident involving Bernardo Castro Mata, are a turning point where action must be taken.
Residents have reported a decline in their quality of life due to an increase in complaints about RVs and prostitution on Ditmars Boulevard, as well as drug sales and alcohol consumption in the community. Queens is already home to 15 migrant shelters between Queens Boulevard and LaGuardia International Airport, and residents argue that the area has reached its limit.
Bernardo Castro Mata, accused of attempting to murder two NYPD officers, had been staying at the East Elmhurst hotel as recently as late last month after illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico in July. Federal immigration officials reported that Mata was already suspected of being a gang member and part of a violent migrant moped crew terrorizing the city before the shooting incident occurred.
According to sources, Mata claimed he was a member of the Venezuelan “Tren de Aragua” gang and met with a New York City coordinator to be recruited into the two-wheeled robbery operations. Locals argue that there is no place for Bernardo Castro Mata and other migrants in their community.
Longtime resident Dr. Lavern Nimmons expressed concern about the quality of life for New Yorkers living next to shelters, emphasizing the importance of supporting neighbors and the community as a whole. However, she argued that flooding the area with shelters is too much and will not receive the necessary support.
Over the past two years, thousands of migrants have arrived in New York City from the US border, prompting City Hall to find space for them, including hotels, schools, and churches.
