NYC to Involuntarily Hospitalize Mentally Ill

Facts

• On Tuesday, New York City (NYC) Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan to allow first responders to involuntarily hospitalize the mentally ill if they "cannot support their basic human needs to an extent that causes them harm."
• Given the legal uncertainty, Adams also suggested that police officers who are unsure whether they have the authority to forcefully hospitalize someone could call a hotline or video chat with a professional "to get an expert opinion on what options may be available."
• In the face of progressive backlash, including from the city's public advocate Jumaane Williams, doctors, and legal organizations, the mayor said the change would take time and that "nobody should think decades of dysfunction can be changed overnight."
• The directive will also give first responders a "step by step" process to evaluate an individual's mental state before committing them and provide responders with "enhanced training on how to assist those in mental health crisis."
• In an effort to combat NYC's homelessness problem, with estimates ranging from 60k to 80k people sleeping on the streets, the city will partner with the State to immediately begin training clinicians, outreach workers, and first responders to "ensure compassionate care."
• Meanwhile, as the city continues to battle crime, including multiple stabbings in the subway this year, Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a plan in February to tackle issues like people sleeping on train platforms, exhibiting aggressive behavior toward passengers, or creating an "unsanitary environment."

Sources: Breitbart, Washington Post, New York Times, NBC, and Wall Street Journal.

Narratives

• Conservative narrative, as provided by New York Post. Contrary to the progressive orthodoxy, allowing severely mentally ill people to roam the streets is not compassionate; it's flat-out wrong. The mayor should be praised by politicians and city residents from all sides as he's finally taking action to save lives. This is also a strong first step toward the city legislature enacting concrete laws to ensure permanent public safety.
• Progressive narrative, as provided by NYCLU. Current New York law imposes strict guidelines regarding involuntary hospitalization to protect individuals' civil liberties, and it should stay that way. Only if someone is visibly an immediate threat to themselves or others should they be forcefully taken by authorities.