New York City's plan to remove people with severe mental health needs from its subways has sparked controversy, particularly among homeless advocates. The initiative, launched by Mayor Eric Adams last year, involves teams of NYPD officers, outreach workers, and a registered nurse assessing each individual's mental health. If deemed a risk, the individual is taken to a hospital for evaluation.
However, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has vowed to dismantle this program in favor of "transit ambassadors," trained civilians who would provide assistance with emergencies, directions, accessibility, and other transit information to riders on the platform. His campaign claims that police officers' involvement undermines outreach workers' efforts to build trust with vulnerable individuals.
Critics argue that the presence of NYPD officers undermines the effectiveness of outreach workers and potentially puts them at risk. Many homeless advocates believe that forcing someone into the hospital after a snap diagnosis violates their individual rights.
The PATH program has removed over 600 people from the subways, mostly involuntarily. However, some experts say it's essential to strike a balance between having police in crisis response and no police at all. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is also running for mayor as an independent, advocates for a more heavy-handed approach that would force homeless individuals out of the subways if they loiter in stations.
Mamdani's campaign has cited data showing that people with mental illness in the subway are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. If the PATH program winds down, it will come at a time when felony assaults in the subways have increased significantly since 1997.
As the debate over homeless outreach continues, city officials and politicians must consider alternative approaches that prioritize the safety of both vulnerable individuals and subway riders while addressing the root causes of homelessness.
However, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has vowed to dismantle this program in favor of "transit ambassadors," trained civilians who would provide assistance with emergencies, directions, accessibility, and other transit information to riders on the platform. His campaign claims that police officers' involvement undermines outreach workers' efforts to build trust with vulnerable individuals.
Critics argue that the presence of NYPD officers undermines the effectiveness of outreach workers and potentially puts them at risk. Many homeless advocates believe that forcing someone into the hospital after a snap diagnosis violates their individual rights.
The PATH program has removed over 600 people from the subways, mostly involuntarily. However, some experts say it's essential to strike a balance between having police in crisis response and no police at all. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is also running for mayor as an independent, advocates for a more heavy-handed approach that would force homeless individuals out of the subways if they loiter in stations.
Mamdani's campaign has cited data showing that people with mental illness in the subway are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. If the PATH program winds down, it will come at a time when felony assaults in the subways have increased significantly since 1997.
As the debate over homeless outreach continues, city officials and politicians must consider alternative approaches that prioritize the safety of both vulnerable individuals and subway riders while addressing the root causes of homelessness.
I'm low-key worried about Zohran Mamdani's plan to ditch the NYPD involvement in the PATH program 
...it just feels like a Band-Aid solution without addressin' the underlying issues of homelessness in NYC 
. Don't get me wrong, I get why outreach workers wanna build trust with folks on the streets, but what about the safety concerns? It's not all about the police vs civilians - we need to find that sweet spot where everyone feels supported 
. I'm also curious to see how Andrew Cuomo's heavy-handed approach will play out...it just seems kinda...draconian 
. Can't we find a middle ground here? 
this whole thing is so messed up 
I mean, on one hand, you gotta feel for those folks who are struggling with mental health issues and need some help ASAP 
but at the same time, can't just leave 'em alone on the subway? That's like, asking to be taken advantage of 
And what about all these people who aren't even sick and just wanna get from point A to point B without being hassled? It's like, can we find a middle ground here? 
which is like, totally not cool. We need to prioritize people's rights and safety above all else 
... I was on the subway the other day and saw a guy with a big ol' backpack just chillin', and I thought to myself, "What if he's struggling?" You know? But then again, you don't wanna have someone causing trouble. My aunt used to be homeless, and she always said that when she needed help, the outreach workers were super kind and understanding 
... but now they're getting taken away by the police because of a snap diagnosis 
... it's like, what's the solution here? You gotta find a way to balance helping people with keeping everyone safe, you feel?
. And what about all the stuff that outreach workers do outside of just assessing people's mental health? Like, they provide support and resources to get them back on their feet 
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And what about the data showing that people with mental illness aren't typically violent - is that just cherry-picked info or is there some real research backing it up? 
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it'd be like a culinary road trip, but with so much more at stake. we could explore how food is woven into the fabric of each city, and share tips on the best eats to try on your next adventure 
... i mean, u gotta acknowledge dat ppl with severe mental health issues need help ASAP 
... but at the same time, u dont wanna put innocent ppl in harm's way 
it's def worth considering dis approach... but also, we gotta make sure dat homeless individuals feel safe & supported in da subway system 
...
I mean, they need some kinda backup. It's not that hard to see both sides - police presence can be scary for outreach workers but at the same time NYPD officers aren't exactly trained for this kinda thing 
. Like, what if it goes wrong and someone gets hurt? 
. Can't we just find a balance here? The city needs to figure out how to make the subways safe 4 everyone 
I feel so bad for those people struggling with mental health issues on the streets... it's like they're already feeling so alone & scared 
. I mean, what's wrong with having some trained civilians like Zohran Mamdani's "transit ambassadors" who can offer assistance without intimidating them? 
they need to work together to help people with severe mental health needs. Zohran Mamdani's idea of transit ambassadors sounds like a great way forward 
. Mamdani's idea of transit ambassadors sounds like a solid alternative - at least they're not armed with pepper spray 
. And honestly, if you're loitering in a station for too long, you're basically asking to get taken away, which I think is a pretty fair system 
. The problem is, most of them are just taking up space and being a nuisance. Let them find their own way outta there 
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. And now, Zohran Mamdani wants to get rid of it and replace it with "transit ambassadors" who are just regular civilians 
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. I mean, remember when we had those soup kitchens and homeless shelters back in the 90s? Those were good times 
. We should be building on that kindness and compassion, not tearing it down 
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. But at the same time, I can see how it might be triggering for some folks, especially if they feel like their rights are being disrespected 
. Maybe instead of just taking them away, we could try to work with them more? Like, train some transit ambassadors like Zohran's proposing