Reply #11: Before it got this far,

[EllenZ]

unless NYC is different than every other city in the USA, there are laws about urinating in public and loitering. I find it hard to believe that the local cops would ignore a complaint about this, unless as in the bad old days mindset, the shop owner did not offer the cops enough money to remove the problem. Or the store owner could have hired his own security to roust anyone who camped out in front of the store. That may not be completely legal, but the homeless will have difficultly in pressing a complaint.

Working with the poor as a nurse previously, I have found that the homeless set themselves up where the cops let them. And some of the homeless prefer being homeless, they will refuse shelter that is offered.

I know that I have gone places that were "exclusive" for the rich and been illegally chased away. Try walking on the oceanfront in South Florida where all the condos are. It may be federal public land below the high water mark, but see how quickly the cops throw you off the beach if you do not "belong".