On October 8, the New York Police Department (NYPD) held its third-quarter crime briefing, where Mayor Eric Adams unveiled the latest crime statistics, highlighting an 8.3% drop in crime within the public transit system for September. During this briefing, Adams also introduced a new initiative aimed at tackling mental health issues to enhance passenger safety.
Mental health concerns related to the transit system have become an increasingly pressing issue for commuters and city officials alike in recent years. Deputy Commissioner for Crime Control Strategy Michael LiPetri pointed out that numerous stranger-on-stranger assaults have been linked to mental health problems. A particularly tragic case occurred in January 2022, when 40-year-old Michelle Go was pushed onto the subway tracks during rush hour by an individual in the midst of a mental health crisis. This incident heightened public demand for improved safety measures, prompting initiatives like the MTA’s plan to install protective barriers.
Tania Kinsella, the first deputy commissioner of the NYPD, will oversee the new mental health initiative, which is designed not only to reduce crime but also to bolster New Yorkers’ feelings of safety while using public transit. “The subway system is the lifeblood of our city, and ensuring its safety is one of the benchmarks by which we measure New York City’s overall security,” Adams stated. More details about the initiative are forthcoming.
In late 2022, Adams’ administration rolled out a contentious policy known as the “Homeless Mandatory Medical Transport” initiative. In its first year, the program successfully removed 54 severely mentally ill individuals from the streets. The administration has also helped hundreds of individuals with severe mental health issues access necessary medical treatment and managed to convince over 70% of New York City’s homeless population to enter shelters.
Moreover, there is ongoing federal litigation concerning alleged discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions. The lawsuit asserts that the city frequently sends police officers to respond to 911 calls involving mental health crises rather than mental health specialists, which may discriminate against those with mental illnesses. In response, New York City has maintained that dispatching civilians to handle mental health calls could introduce unpredictable risks.
In addition to the mental health initiative, Adams emphasized various achievements in crime reduction during the briefing. New York City’s crime rate has now decreased for nine consecutive months, with overall index crimes falling 3.1% in September, 3.3% in the third quarter, and 2.0% so far this year. Violent crimes, including murder and theft, have also seen significant reductions. “Public safety is a prerequisite for the prosperity of our city, and it serves as a standard against which we measure our success, as well as the stability all New Yorkers strive for,” Adams remarked.
