Speaker Adams, Responds to Governor Hochul’s Mental Health Investments & Mayor Adams’ Subway Safety Plan

 

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams released the following statements in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s investments into mental health care and Mayor Eric Adams’ subway safety plan, jointly announced.

Speaker Adrienne E. Adams said, “Increased mental health care resources and responses are essential to advancing public health and safety in New York City, whether it’s inside or outside of the transit system. Governor Hochul’s actions to increase state funds for mental health care and supportive housing are greatly needed and appreciated. Mayor Adams’ plan to expand the B-HEARD program that utilizes mental health professionals to respond to mental health-related 911 calls is a welcomed approach as well. When we focus on intervening early to prevent crises with the right response and responders, it is in best interest of New Yorkers’ health and safety.

“There are parts of the Mayor’s subway safety plan that seem positive and we look forward to reviewing in more detail, such as the increase in health services at DHS sites, creation of drop-in centers near subway stations, and increased coordination across government,” continued Speaker Adams. “Other areas of the plan need to be examined in greater detail. When it comes to ramping up NYPD enforcement of MTA rules of conduct to force people out of the subway system, we need to be very careful that those efforts aren’t counterproductive by criminalizing people who are in need of housing or treatment. Cycling people through a destabilizing revolving door of the criminal justice system to end up in a worse condition back on the subways and our streets would only make us less safe. For those who need housing or treatment, outreach workers empowered with real pathways to the solutions people need are best equipped to ensure we solve underlying challenges.

“We thank the Governor and Mayor for their continued attention to these issues and look forward to partnering to ensure we are employing the most effective approaches to make New York City healthier and safer.”