
This week, a man was critically injured after being shoved onto the tracks, and the new year began with three subway stabbings, one involving an MTA employee. In response to these violent incidents on New York's subway system, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a plan to address mental health crises, focusing on individuals with serious untreated mental illnesses, as per Daily News.
The proposed changes come amid concerns over public safety and the mental health crisis in the city's subway system, where people with severe mental health issues are often seen. Hochul plans to include new legislation in the executive budget to expand the criteria for involuntary commitment, ensuring that individuals with severe mental illness receive necessary care—"an issue that has plagued New York for decades," Hochul stated. The measures also aim to modify Kendra's Law to improve court-ordered outpatient care, according to an announcement covered by CBS News.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed his gratitude for the attention given to this pervasive issue. "Denying a person life-saving psychiatric care because their mental illness prevents them from recognizing their desperate need for it is an unacceptable abdication of our moral responsibility. Several recent incidents have shown what happens when these issues go untreated. As we have repeatedly said, we cannot wait for change," Adams told CBS News.
However, not everyone agrees with the proposed amendments. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) argues that the existing laws are adequate, but they fall short in post-commitment care, with Executive Director Donna Lieberman stressing, "The real problem is there are not nearly enough mental health care resources available, especially for those who need them the most, including people subject to involuntary commitment." This critique was echoed in the sentiments expressed by NYCLU senior staff attorney Beth Haroules and City Councilman Robert Holden, who emphasized the need for system reforms over law changes, as reported by CBS News.
As part of the efforts to increase public safety, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has initiated the installation of platform barriers at various subway stations. While these barriers aim to prevent track-related accidents, they contribute only a piece to the complex puzzle of enhancing subway safety. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber acknowledged the array of interventions including surveillance improvements and increased outreach work, attesting to their commitment to restoring order in the transit system. The MTA aspires to fit barriers at a rate of up to two stations per month, projecting a multi-year timeline for system-wide installation.