A “Demolition Derby” Has Emerged Near Staten Island Migrant Shelters

Migrants residing at two Staten Island shelters have made the neighborhood into something of a demolition derby with unlicensed drivers of unregistered cars driving with a devil-may-care attitude

Residents of the nearby neighborhood said as much to the New York Post.

At 4:30 AM on a recent Saturday, residents on Victory Boulevard of the Travis Neighborhood were jolted awake when an unlicensed driver of a plate-less car smashed into a parked car and loudly totaled both.

Since they opened last October, elected officials and residents have been protesting the Travis shelters.

A few cars, again with no plates, sit in the parking lot near the Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn amid an impromptu hangout area. The New York Post reports the two vehicles were towed once already but returned after.

August 27th saw a car ram a truck on Victory Boulevard, dealing heavy damage to both vehicles. The car’s registration was ripped out and the overdue inspection sticker scratched, pictures shared with The New York Post show.

The driver of the car only had an IDNYC card with the address of one shelter listed.  

 The city’s $5.36 million contract with Project Hospitality for the Travis shelters is set to expire on October 1st, but it could be extended until 2026, per city records. The shelters can handle around 600 people.