Write a commentMy colleague, Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz (R,C-Oyster Bay), introduced the Property Protection Act (A.6894) to protect homeowners from this very scenario. His legislation extends the time period to obtain tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days and adds "squatting" to the definition of criminal trespass in the third degree. Simply stated, strangers invading our property should not be protected under the law, and allowing as much is a disservice to the rightful property owners who worked hard to buy their homes. At one point, the American Dream was to purchase a home, own property to raise a family or use as we please. We already have an outmigration problem, protecting squatters will do nothing to stem it.
The squatting trend has reached a boiling point in recent weeks. Last week, police reported a woman traveling from Spain to prepare a Manhattan apartment owned by her late mother was brutally beaten to death by squatters. Every lawmaker should be outraged and seeking ways to fix the irrational policies that encouraged those two individuals to be there in the first place.
The sad reality is that property rights in New York have been eroding for years. The state's progressive wing has shown time and again a severe lack of respect for the idea of private property, and I often wonder what our state would look like if the socialists in charge had their way. Ownership of private property is a staple of American democratic and capitalist ideals. They are part of what made our state and our nation the beacons of prosperity they have been for hundreds of years. Sadly, it seems there is a movement to suffocate those ideals under the guise of opaque, misguided humanitarian goals that do far more harm than good.
The Assembly Minority Conference stands with small business and property owners who do not want to see their life's savings stolen by trespassers. Legitimate, legal renters facing financial hardship deserve assistance when needed, but giving thieves a free pass to invade and occupy a home for sale doesn't serve the public interest. When enough homeowners and landlords leave the state, those looking for a place to live or rent will have a much harder time thanks to these awful policies.
If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at barclayw@nyassembly.gov. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or Twitter at @WillABarclay.
