Chase closes NYC ATMs at 5 p.m. due to crime and vagrancy

Chase announced that banks in New York will close ATMs at 5 p.m. due to “increased crime and vagrancy” amid growing attacks on customers by homeless people using them as shelters.

The bank said the lobbies of a small number of branches across the city would be closed at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., consistent with its normal other banking hours.

In a tweet, Chase said this was “due to increased crime and vagrancy happening in these previously 24/7 vestibules.”

But the bank declined to confirm how many banks or which neighborhoods would be affected. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Chase said, “We review our ATM hours on a case-by-case basis and, for a variety of reasons, we may decide to temporarily close some overnight.”

A homeless man used inside a Citibank ATM vestibule in Washington, DC in November

Crime has skyrocketed since the pandemic and homeless people have flocked to ATM vestibules, using them for shelter while they sleep or take drugs.

In July, a Chase security guard was stabbed at an Upper East Side bank after a man tried to break into the branch before it opened.

In August 2021, a 51-year-old man was crushed in the head by a hatchet-wielding thug while using an ATM in a hallway of a Chase in the Financial District.

Chase’s move follows other banks such as City National Bank and Citizens closing ATM vestibules earlier in the day in New York to keep vagrants out.

Bank of America branches were also reportedly closed “periodically” overnight.

DailyMail.com has contacted the bank for comment.

Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference Monday that he was disappointed with Chase’s decision, adding that he wanted to create a safer environment.

“How about, people don’t want to walk into their ATM and see someone urinate, see someone scream and scream — people don’t want to go through that,” Adams said.

“And that’s what I say I have to stop. I don’t want my ATMs to close. I don’t want people to leave our town. We need to create an environment where people are safe and feel safe.

The move came to light after a furious Chase customer, Sunny Ng of Brooklyn, tweeted Tuesday night to say he couldn’t access ATMs in Fort Greene and Williamsburg.

“It’s really annoying that @chase locks their ATMs at 10pm now. I thought it was New York? he tweeted.

Chase replied: ‘Our apologies. We decide to close several ATM vestibules at 5 or 6 p.m., aligning hours of service with regular agency hours, due to increased crime and vagrancy occurring in these previously open 24-hour vestibules /24 and 7/7.

The belongings of a homeless man are strewn on the street inside a Wells Fargo ATM vestibule in Los Angeles

A broken ATM of a Chase bank is seen after a night of rioting following the death of George Floyd in June 2020

Another angry customer replied: “Are you going to refund the ATM fee to customers when we get ripped off to use a bodega ATM to pay for our late night slice of pizza because you can’t provide service basis to account holders?”

Another guest added: ‘I thought 10pm was an inconvenience but 5pm is ridiculous. You have to reimburse your customers for the extra charges because you cannot provide security at these locations.

The New York Bankers Association, which represents banking institutions statewide, said in a statement, “Ensuring the safety and security of customers and employees has always been a top priority for the banking industry.

“While we have not conducted a recent survey of our members on this topic, as issues arise, NYBA and our members are assessing possible trends with the goal of working with banks, law enforcement order and the local community to find solutions.”