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They Request Non-Interference of Police in Interactions with Individuals Having Mental Disorders

A group of mental health advocates loudly shared their message outside City Hall.

They ask that the police no longer get involved in handling situations with people suffering from mental illness.

Instead, they want the city to invest in programs that connect people who need help with people who have overcome similar circumstances.

“When there are people who have suffered the same thing and we know when that person can connect with the people who are involved in a situation,” said Salomón Acevedo, deputy public defender.

Acevedo.

One of Mayor Eric Adams’ policies has been controversial from the start: one in which police officers inadvertently hospitalize people who appear to be suffering from mental health problems.

Advocates said that already this year 1,300 people have been involuntarily hospitalized with such tactics.

On Monday, the city council held a preliminary budget hearing on how the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will use nearly $2 billion in fiscal year 2024.

Councilman Charles Barron asked the health commissioner to explain how they are going to protect people in situations with the police.

“We just released a pretty comprehensive 75-page plan for what we’re going to do on the issues of serious mental illness and it’s much more complex,” Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said.

Vasan was referring to a plan introduced by Mayor Adams earlier this month that promises $20 million for mental health services in hopes of providing care before a person has to interact with police.

Advocates say police involvement puts the lives of New Yorkers at risk.

“Worse situations come out. Many times people end up in jail. Sometimes a policeman dies and they kill him. And now we know that there is the best solution,” added Acevedo.

This group also requires oversight of any city programs to make sure funds are used properly.

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