Joe Germanotta, father of pop singer Lady Gaga, is calling out New York City for their failure to deal with the illegal alien crisis — noting that illegals have “taken over” his Upper West Side neighborhood, causing “mayhem.”
In an interview with the New York Post, the 66-year-old New York City resident revealed that he is leading an effort to bring the neighborhood’s concerns to lawmakers, local law enforcement, and the city’s homeless services.
Germanotta has lived in the Pythian building on West 70th Street for more than three decades and even opened a restaurant in the area in 2012.
“There’s now 500 migrants living in that dormitory [the Stratford Arms Hotel on West 70th Street]. That’s when all the mayhem began,” said Germanotta.
Germanotta claims the chaos has depreciated local property values and said it’s torn at the fabric of a neighborhood that was… pic.twitter.com/rqORBNHl7N
— Crime in NYC (@CrimeInNYC) August 9, 2023
Just down the road from his home, however, is a hotel that has been converted into a shelter for roughly 500 illegal aliens. Before being taken over by illegals, the Stratford Arms Hotel was previously used as a residence hall for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Germanotta has accused the AMDA of selling out its neighbors — declaring that the hotel’s transition to a shelter was “pretty rapid” and appeared to be a “stealth operation.”
“There’s now 500 migrants living in that dormitory. That’s when all the mayhem began,” he told the outlet, adding that “Hookers are coming and going” from the building.
Germanotta went on to note that the illegal aliens were supposed to be “guests in our neighborhood” but have “basically taken over” the area — citing late-night noise from loud music and motorbikes that usually begins at around 10 p.m. and continues through 4 a.m.
He also revealed that the streets have been littered with trash and the illegal aliens have been catcalling children and verbally harassing residents.
However, despite all of his complaints, Germanotta attempted to defend the illegal aliens’ abhorrent behavior.
“I think, for the most part, the 500 that are in there are good people,” he claimed. “And I think they’re locked into very small rooms and when they get out, they go out at night, and they party.”
Germanotta further explained that he doesn’t mind having the illegals in his neighborhood, he just wants the city to “manage” them better.
“They’re gonna be there for three years. That was the contract, I understand. But at least manage it. Put the proper security in place, have a police presence and a code of conduct,” he argued.
Working alongside the West 70th Street Association, Germanotta is calling on city officials to create a written plan detailing how they will restore the neighborhood.
“Most of the people in (my) building are owners. They feel that this situation has affected their property values,” he told the outlet. “Give us something back. Give us a tax rebate. They’re spending all this money, OK, give me some.”
Germanotta also declared that New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ (D) response to the crisis has been “a joke” — arguing that city officials should have suspended its “sanctuary city” status until they could control the situation.
“It’s a joke. Why doesn’t he get one of the cruise ships? The cruise ships hold more people, and it’s a more controlled environment,” he said. “The city is spending a tremendous amount of money that could be spent towards building affordable housing.”
“The really sad part is that in the neighborhood, we still have our share of veterans and homeless — but we’re not taking care of our own. They don’t get food every day. It’s really sad. I feel for them,” Germanotta added.
The streets of New York City have now become one giant homeless camp for illegal immigrants. AMERICA IS BROKEN! pic.twitter.com/OiMJTwEpwd
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) August 3, 2023
