Just over a week into Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration, city legislators are preparing to initiate the implementation of his ambitious plan to transform the city’s response to mental health emergencies. Mayor Mamdani has proposed outsourcing many 911 calls, traditionally managed by the NYPD, to personnel from a newly established Department of Community Safety.
This initiative was a key element of Mamdani’s campaign, which he detailed in a comprehensive 17-page public safety memo on the campaign trail last year. He believes that this approach will empower mental health professionals to handle crises effectively while allowing police officers to concentrate on more severe criminal activities. However, some critics have raised concerns about the safety of unarmed responders and questioned whether this shift would alleviate the workload for NYPD officers significantly.
Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mayor Mamdani, expressed optimism regarding the passage of the council bill, stating that the administration “will pursue every legal avenue” to establish the new department.
The process to create the agency will likely begin with a proposal in the City Council. Councilmember Lincoln Restler, representing Williamsburg and parts of North Brooklyn, intends to advance a bill later this month to formalize the department’s establishment. Although Restler and over two dozen other lawmakers presented the bill in December, it will need to be reintroduced due to the swearing in of a new Council.
Following this, Restler anticipates that the Council will hold hearings to gather insights from experts, residents, and other interested parties about the proposed legislation. He hopes to bring the bill to a vote in the near future, expressing confidence that the refreshed City Council will provide increased support for moving forward.
The proposed legislation outlines the creation of the Department of Community Safety and grants the mayor the authority to appoint a commissioner to oversee the agency. According to the bill, the department will have at least one office in each borough and will carry out various functions that align with the public safety strategy outlined by Mamdani during his campaign.
The Department of Community Safety staff will respond to certain emergency calls in conjunction with law enforcement and medical services. Additionally, they will engage in conflict mediation and undertake safety patrols in designated areas to help prevent violence and foster a sense of security. The department’s responsibilities will extend to managing contracts with vendors that provide alternatives to incarceration, re-entry services for formerly incarcerated individuals, and supervised release programs prior to trials.
Sociology professor Alex Vitale from Brooklyn College, who was part of Mamdani’s transition team, does not foresee immediate changes within the NYPD. However, he emphasized that diminishing the number of emergency calls requiring police involvement could lead to a reduction in overtime expenses for the NYPD.
“My main short-term hope is to see a significant cut in overtime spending,” Vitale stated, noting that while police officers will continue to handle serious crimes like homicides and shootings, community organizations may play a larger role in preventive measures moving forward. This shift may lead to a reduction in proactive policing, allowing community members to engage in preventive efforts instead.
As the city considers these changes, there is hope for a more efficient and community-focused approach to public safety.