Original Article By Luke Funk At Fox5NY.com:
NEW YORK – Some Chase ATMs in the city are no longer available around-the-clock.
Chase Bank announced that various ATM vestibules will be closed at the same time as the branches due to rising crime and vagrancy.
In a response to a tweet calling a locked ATM “annoying” Chase Support said that it decided to close “several” ATM vestibules at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
A company spokesperson said that the lockdowns may be temporary.
It is not clear which locations are affected but FOX 5 News saw one on the Upper East Side that is now closing nightly at 10 p.m.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he understands why banks would want to close early.
“People don’t want to walk into their ATM and see someone urinating, see someone screaming and yelling,” Adams says.
This is an ongoing trend in New York City. In August, it was reported that other banks were locking up NYC ATM vestibules to keep out homeless people.
From setting up makeshift shelters to using them to relieve themselves, homeless people have become a nuisance problem at some Midtown Manhattan banks.
The New York Bankers Association said: “Ensuring the safety and security of customers and employees have always been a top priority of the banking industry. While we have not conducted a recent survey of our members on this topic, as issues arise NYBA and our members evaluate possible trends with the intention of working with banks, law enforcement, and the local community toward solutions.”
