It doesn’t matter what laws are, or aren’t on the book in New York City, they wouldn’t be enforced, nor prosecuted anyway. Those days are long gone. The City is a lawless, crime-ridden crap hole, because City officials have to make sure the crime rates are low, which means arrests are slim to none.
You're right - it's about keeping the lie that 'crime rates are down' going. The price of that tactic? People in New York are harmed, cops are in danger, and the city is falling apart. That said, it's still nice to know if squatters move into OUR homes in Florida, all we have to do is call the cops and they'll get them out of our homes.