NYC Mayor Mamdani Creates Office of Community Safety as Modest First Step Toward Shifting Mental‑Health 911 Calls From Police
Mar 23
Developing
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Mayor Mamdani has launched a new Office of Community Safety, led by Renita Francois, to coordinate the B‑HEARD mental‑health crisis response and house existing violence‑interruption, hate‑crime and victim‑services initiatives — a move framed by advocates and the mayor as a response to the police shooting of Jabez Chakraborty after a mental‑health 911 call. The office opens with only two staffers and few immediate changes to 911 dispatch, with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch estimating roughly 2% of calls might be diverted under current thinking, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urging patience while acknowledging there will be mistakes.