Neighbors at 400 Bleecker Street in Manhattan’s West Village say their building has turned into a nightmare, with a man identified by residents as Melvin Dejesus allegedly squatting in a rent-controlled unit, issuing death threats, and turning the place into a revolving-door hangout. Tenants describe a constant smell of gasoline in the stairwell and an apartment jammed with mattresses and trash, drawing a steady stream of visitors. The landlord has gone to court to remove the occupant, and residents say police have been called again and again.
Neighbors Report Gasoline and Death Threats
Several residents told reporters they recently discovered a five-gallon gas can outside the door of apartment 5B and say the occupant allegedly threatened to kill neighbors while declaring he was "ready to die." As reported by New York Post, tenants say officers have responded to repeated calls but often could not intervene because they did not witness an immediate crime. The result, residents say, is a building on edge and a growing number of people quietly considering whether it is time to move out.
Owner and Building Details
The building at 400 Bleecker is owned and managed by the Brodsky Organization, which lists the prewar walk-up among its West Village rentals (Brodsky Organization). Property listings describe the five-story, eight-unit building as sitting on a prized stretch of Bleecker Street and identify Brodsky as the manager (StreetEasy). Tenants say they have been pressing the landlord for faster action while the case inches through civil court.
Alleged Occupant's Record and Recent 911 Calls
Reporting indicates the man accused of squatting took a plea deal in an attempted-murder case in 1987 and was later convicted of drug dealing in 1993, a history that neighbors say only heightens their concern. Police and emergency responders were reportedly called for a June 26, 2025 stairwell confrontation in which he allegedly claimed to have a knife, and January 2026 wellness checks led to multiple ambulance transports. As reported by New York Post, the Brodsky Organization has begun eviction proceedings and is seeking roughly $5.5 million in damages tied to the disputed occupancy.
What’s Next For Neighbors
For now, residents say they are closely watching court filings, consulting lawyers, and doing what they can to feel secure in their own homes. The saga underscores how tense and slow the overlap between civil eviction processes and real-time police response can be when an alleged squatter claims a regulated unit. Neighbors say they are pushing for quicker enforcement to head off potential flashpoints and restore some basic sense of safety on their block.
