Little Italy in the Bronx is known for amazing food, a bit of an old country vibe, and partying down at key moments like the Ferragosto festival in September.
For the last four years, there's been a Christmas tree lighting ceremony to go along with all the decorations along the main Avenue.
But this year, too many homeless people are using the Avenue's main park as their... well, home... scaring both locals and tourists away, so the outdoor festivities have unfortunately been cancelled.
Due to the spike in homeless in the area, the public spaces have seen higher than normal amounts of panhandling and public urination.
In turn, the Belmont Business Improvement District hired a security guard, whose salary tapped out the funds for the celebration.
This all comes on the heels of disturbing citywide homelessness statistics, Mayor de Blasio and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr appearing at the clean up of a homeless encampment on St. Anne's Avenue at East 150th Street, and much, much more.
Ironically, a new app called Spare NYC, which allows New Yorkers to round their restaurant and bar tabs up to the nearest dollar, donating the difference to feed the City's homeless and underprivileged, is very popular in Little Italy with almost half of participating restaurants located in the neighborhood.
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So now, the very same businesses that are seeking to help the less fortunate, are being victimized by the public's response to the homeless presence-- to the point of additional security and no outdoor Christmas festivities.
Now, understandably so, neighborhood residents, businesses, and visitors alike are upset that a local holiday tradition isn't happening.
monahaneyes Arthur Avenue is a street in the Belmont section of the Bronx, New York City's northernmost borough. It was once the heart of the Bronx's "Little Italy" | #arthuravenue #bronx #littleitaly #treking #nyc #Dtrain #classicnyc #redsaucerevolution #eathere #beagoodfella
On the bright side, there will be an indoor tree lighting ceremony at Arthur Avenue Retail Market, and the neighborhood is still decked out in lights for about 25 blocks.
So while outdoor public celebrations may be off the agenda for this year-- barring a Christmas miracle, the holiday in the Bronx isn't entirely lost.
Check out 7 More NYC Neighborhoods and How They Got Their Names.
[via Pix 11] [Feature Image Courtesy DNAinfo]