A homeless man squatting inside the Washington Square Park fountain in Manhattan has caused frustration for local authorities who have already detained the transient for the activity but now have their hands tied.
Matthew John Mishefski, a 25-year-old originally from Wyoming, Pennsylvania – has been living in the Greenwich Village park since May.
His makeshift home now includes a table, six chairs, a pink recliner, a box of clothes and a beach umbrella – all protected by the metal barricades surrounding the fountain.
‘It’s a representation of the altar to god,’ Mishefski, who goes by ‘Son of God Lord Saviour Jesus Christ’, explained to the New York Post.
Matthew John Mishefski, a 25-year-old originally from Wyoming, Pennsylvania – has been living in the Greenwich Village park since May
His makeshift home now includes a table, six chairs, a pink recliner, a box of clothes and a beach umbrella – all protected by the metal barricades surrounding the fountain
New York homeless service visit with the man to see if they can get him assistance
Mishefski is covered with fake blood as he lays on a unicorn plush
Mishefski was arrested by police on June 13 at around 12.15am after he reportedly refused to leave the park after hours.
The transient – who first moved to NYC in 2017 – was charged with criminal trespass and failure to comply with signs. He has since been released on bail and has returned to the park, with his next court date is set for September 14.
‘Obviously the commanding officer [of the local 6th Precinct] is aware with many 311 calls and community members reaching out,’ a NYPD spokesperson said. ‘He has made numerous calls to Parks Department and several attempts to provide services. They are trying to get him help.’
A spokesman from the city Department of Homeless Services said that workers have tried to persuade the man four times to leave, but he refuses.
Black Lives Matter banners are now hanging in the fountain as a backrop for Mishefski, who has squatting there since May
Mishefski was arrested by police on June 13 at around 12.15am after he reportedly refused to leave the park after hours. He was charged with criminal trespass and failure to comply with signs
He has since been released on bail and has returned to the park, with his next court date is set for September 14
‘It’s a representation of the altar to god,’ Mishefski, who goes by ‘Son of God Lord Saviour Jesus Christ’, said of his living arrangments
‘We remain undeterred and will keep coming back to build trust, make those breakthroughs, and help them get back on their feet,’ said spokesman Isaac McGinn.
Parks Department had a different energy behind the man’s presence, with a spokeswoman adding: ‘Being homeless in a New York City park is not a crime.’
She continued: ‘We are working sensitively to encourage this individual to comply with Parks rules.
The spokeswoman did assert that there are rules prohibiting the erection of tents, shelters or camps at the park.
A spokesman from the city Department of Homeless Services said that workers have tried to persuade the man four times to leave, but he refuses
Parks Department had a different energy behind the man’s presence, with a spokeswoman adding: ‘Being homeless in a New York City park is not a crime.’ She did however say that rules prohibit setting up a tent in parks
‘This is a spiritual zone,’ declared Mishefski
The Washington Square Park conservancy shared that it was aware of the encampment since early June, with representatives adding that they have been talking with the Parks Department and the NYPD.
Parks has said that it is working to remove the various pieces from the fountain.
Mishefski has only been at the park for a few weeks, according to the Parks Department, who said that the man travels between parks.
Mishefski has only been at the park for a few weeks, according to the Parks Department, who said that the man travels between parks
An American flag sits near a table that Mishefski has inside the fountain
‘This is a spiritual zone,’ declared Mishefski, who had been living in shelters until November 2017 before deciding to just stay on the streets. Life in the shelters did not seen like safest option, Mishefski shared.
‘People bring in knives, weapons, they say they’re going to hurt you if you say something they don’t like, if you look at them,’ he said. ‘I had a staff member pull a knife on me.’
Mishefski said he suffers from autism and added that he has been in and out of psych wards. He even had a brief five-week stay at the Woodhull Hospital around September 2019.
Mishefski said he suffers from autism and added that he has been in and out of psych wards
Mishefski reads in the middle of the fountain as New Yorkers enjoy a day at the park