Hochul’s Plan to Curb NYC Subway Violence Faces Backlash
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan on Friday to combat the recent wave of violent incidents plaguing the city’s subway system. Her proposal focuses on reforming involuntary commitment standards and strengthening Kendra’s Law, but critics immediately voiced concerns about the lack of concrete details and the perceived inadequacy of the approach.
In a statement released Friday, Hochul outlined her intention to introduce legislation aimed at altering New York’s involuntary commitment criteria. “Currently, hospitals can commit individuals whose mental illness poses a serious risk to themselves or others,” she stated, “and this legislation will broaden that definition to ensure more peopel receive the necessary care.” The governor also pledged to introduce a separate bill to refine Kendra’s Law, improving the court-ordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment process and simplifying voluntary enrollment.
While Hochul’s proclamation lacked specifics, a spokesperson indicated that further details would be revealed with the release of her executive budget proposal on January 21st. The governor’s vague approach, however, sparked immediate criticism. “This has been rejected by the legislature in the past,” Hochul acknowledged in a separate press conference. “It is my sincere hope that everyone in the legislature is paying attention to what is unfolding in our city and in our state, and that we need to ensure that those who are suffering from severe mental illness are getting the care they need. I’m taking it on again. I expect to be triumphant.”
The recent surge in subway attacks, including a tragic incident where a sleeping woman was allegedly set on fire and killed, and another where a commuter was pushed onto the tracks, has fueled public anxiety and demands for decisive action. These incidents, coupled with others, have heightened concerns about public safety within the city’s transit system.
City Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens) sharply criticized Hochul’s plan, arguing that the existing Kendra’s Law could be more effectively utilized rather than creating new legislation. “Governor Hochul is gaslighting the public by punting the mental health crisis to the State Legislature under the guise of needing changes to Kendra’s Law,” Holden stated. ”The truth is that Kendra’s Law works when properly enforced, but city and state agencies have failed to follow through, and the governor has failed to allocate the necessary resources to make it effective.”
Holden’s criticism highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the effectiveness of existing mental health laws and the need for adequate resources and enforcement to address the complex issue of subway violence in new York City. The governor’s upcoming budget proposal will be closely scrutinized for concrete solutions to this pressing problem.
New York Governor Proposes Mental Health Law Reforms After Subway Tragedy
The tragic death of Kendra Webdale in 1999, when she was pushed in front of a Manhattan subway train by a man experiencing a mental health crisis, led to the landmark Kendra’s Law. Now, over two decades later, Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing critically important reforms to the legislation in response to ongoing concerns about violence involving individuals with untreated severe mental illness.
The governor’s announcement follows years of advocacy from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has repeatedly called for stronger state-level action. The mayor’s office has implemented its own involuntary commitment plan, but has stressed the need for state-level support to effectively address the issue.
Ralph Webdale Jr., Kendra’s brother, expressed cautious optimism about the governor’s proposals, stating, “This isn’t something that’s new. You’d think leadership from years ago and that’s current would do something. Until they start taking it more seriously from a legal or financial aspect, nothing is really going to happen.”
Brian Stettin, a co-author of Kendra’s Law and the mayor’s senior advisor on severe mental illness, highlighted the challenges in ensuring individuals receive necessary care. He described the current system as a ”revolving door” of arrests and hospitalizations, often due to lapses in medication or treatment. The Adams administration is pushing for mandatory screenings before release for those eligible for Kendra’s Law, addressing the issue of hospitals failing to make appropriate referrals.
Stettin expressed hope that the governor’s proposals will address these shortcomings, stating, “We don’t know what she is proposing today on Kendra’s Law as her statement was vague, but we hope that this is one of them. The devil is in the details and we’re anxiously awaiting to see what she proposes.”
Governor Hochul acknowledged the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms within Kendra’s Law, emphasizing the importance of ensuring compliance with court-ordered Assisted Outpatient Therapy. “There have to be consequences to that,” she stated. “We have to have more teeth in those laws.”
Hochul also indicated that her proposal aims to clarify ambiguities in the state’s involuntary commitment law, stating, “It only talks about the situation where they’ll do harm to themselves or others. We are proposing othre language that I’ll be introducing in two weeks.”
Mayor Adams expressed gratitude for the governor’s response to his repeated calls for reform, stating, “With today’s announcement, we are exceptionally grateful to Governor Hochul for listening to our calls and to the calls of everyday New yorkers, and we look forward to working with her to develop next steps to finally codify these…”
The details of governor Hochul’s proposed reforms are expected to be released in the coming weeks, and will be closely scrutinized by advocates, lawmakers, and the public alike. The ongoing debate highlights the complex challenges of balancing individual rights with public safety in addressing mental health crises.
new York’s Mental Health Crisis: Governor hochul Under Fire After Three Years Since Michelle Go’s Murder
Three years after the shocking death of Michelle Go, who was pushed onto a subway track and killed, New York city continues to grapple with its escalating mental health crisis. Governor Kathy Hochul is facing mounting criticism for her perceived inaction in addressing the issue,with accusations of insufficient measures to protect the public from individuals with severe mental illness.
The tragedy surrounding Michelle Go’s death has become a focal point in the ongoing debate.rep. Ritchie Torres (D-bronx), a potential gubernatorial candidate, leveled harsh criticism at Governor Hochul. ”In the three years as the shocking murder of Michelle Go, who was shoved in front of an incoming subway car by a schizophrenic, the Governor did nothing to protect the general public from those with severe mental illness,” he stated.
Mayor Eric Adams has proposed the Supportive Interventions Act, a state Assembly bill sponsored by Edward Braunstein (D-Queens), as a potential solution. Though, Governor Hochul’s office, through spokesman Avi Small, indicated that the mayor’s preferred bill will not be the basis of the governor’s proposed legislation. while details remain scarce, sources suggest Hochul’s plan may incorporate elements from Braunstein’s previously unsuccessful bill.
The proposed legislation aims to expand the authority to recommend involuntary commitment, potentially including psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, and social workers. However, sources indicate that Hochul may only support including psychiatric nurse practitioners in this expanded authority. The governor is also exploring modifications to allow individuals access to services under Kendra’s Law without requiring full commitment under the legislation.
Governor Hochul has pointed to the $1 billion in mental health funding approved in 2023 as a exhibition of her commitment.She also defended her deployment of national Guard troops in the subway system, claiming it reduced crime, although without providing supporting data.
These proposals have been met with mixed reactions. Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association of New york, criticized the governor’s approach as insufficient, advocating for a more complete strategy. “I don’t think tweaking existing laws… is the strategy that would be most useful,” he stated. “We need a strong systemic response.”
Republican City Council members have attributed the subway’s safety concerns to lenient criminal justice laws and the closure of psychiatric facilities. Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) stated,”this is all just more smoke and mirrors from Albany… We need the state to commit to reopening psychiatric facilities so we can get these people real,long-term care,not three-day timeouts before turning them loose again.” Councilman David Carr (R-Staten Island) echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for swift action to protect both the public and individuals with untreated mental illness.
the debate over New York’s mental health crisis continues, with the tragic death of Michelle Go serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and effective solutions. The coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of state policy and whether meaningful change will finally be implemented.
Governor Hochul unveils Mental Health Overhaul After Subway Tragedy
In the wake of a recent tragic incident in the New York City subway system, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a series of sweeping proposals aimed at reforming the state’s mental health care system. The governor’s plan, unveiled following a public outcry, focuses on expanding access to mental health services and addressing concerns about involuntary commitments.
Hochul’s proposals, detailed in a press conference earlier this week, include significant investments in community-based mental health services and increased outreach programs to connect individuals with needed care.The governor emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, ”Governing is not about waiting years for more tragedies to happen.”
However,the governor’s suggestions have not been without criticism. Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), expressed serious concerns about the proposed changes, especially regarding involuntary commitments.
Lieberman highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding the process and the potential for misuse. ”What exactly happens to these New Yorkers after they are involuntarily committed is not clear and isn’t made publicly available,” she stated. “What research does make clear is that coercing people into mental health care is generally ineffective and does little to improve people’s mental health.”
Lieberman further emphasized the critical need for increased resources, arguing that the current system is severely underfunded. “The real problem is there are not nearly enough mental health care resources available, especially for those who need them the most and including people subject to involuntary commitment,” she added.
The debate surrounding Governor Hochul’s proposals underscores the complex challenges facing New York and the nation in addressing mental health crises. The effectiveness and potential consequences of involuntary commitments, coupled with the urgent need for expanded access to care, remain central points of contention as the state moves forward with these significant reforms.
