For decades, Greenpoint residents believed the blocked off streets leading to a nearby waterfront were private. Now they?re learning it is public property and they want access.

Industrial companies had put up fences that blocked public access to the water, and turned public streets into private driveways.

Resident Steven Delosantos says the lack of maintenance to the waterfront area is resulting in the beach becoming overrun by trash and homeless people. ?There's a lot of garbage, broken bottles, trees, cardboard and people sleeping over.?

Councilman David Yassky wrote a letter to the city demanding that they tear down the fences. The residents are now waiting for an answer.