City Council report raises questions about mayor's involuntary removal policy for people experiencing mental health episodes
According to the report, 54% of those transported involuntarily in 2024 were Black New Yorkers, despite making up only 23% of the city’s population.
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A new City Council report is raising concerns about the effectiveness of Mayor Eric Adams’ policy on involuntary removals, a key part of his administration’s approach to addressing the city’s mental health crisis. The policy allows police and other city workers to take someone to the hospital, even if they don’t want to go, if they seem unable to care for themselves.
The policy has faced scrutiny over its impact and racial disparities.
According to the report, 54% of those transported involuntarily in 2024 were Black New Yorkers, despite making up only 23% of the city’s population. Additionally, more than 40% of those transported were not admitted for inpatient care, raising questions about whether the policy is connecting people with the help they need.
Mayor Adams defended the approach in a media availability, dismissing concerns about racial disparities.
"You ride your subway system, look and see who's homeless. Look at the ethnic demographics of who's homeless. Look at the ethnic demographics of those who are charged with some of these crimes of pushing people on the subway system, slashing, et cetera," Adams said. "We're going to go where the issue is, and we're not going to play race politics. Where the services are, we're going to go to."
The City Council report also highlights another surprising finding—involuntary transports were five times more likely to occur in private homes than in public spaces like subways, despite the administration’s focus on removing people from transit systems.
Advocates argue that instead of expanding involuntary removals, the city should increase funding for community-based mental health programs, which have been shown to help people achieve long-term stability.
News 12 has reached out to the mayor’s office for further comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.
