Mamdani Administration Develops Alternative Crisis Response Model Amid Police Shooting
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is advancing plans for a new Department of Community Safety in response to a recent police shooting in Queens that highlighted the need for alternative approaches to mental health crises. The incident involving 22-year-old Jabez Chakraborty, who was shot by NYPD officers while experiencing a mental health emergency, reinvigorated debate about how police departments should respond to calls involving individuals in psychiatric distress.
The Chakraborty Case
On January 26, Chakraborty’s parents called 911 requesting an ambulance after their son, who has a history of mental illness, began throwing glass against walls during an acute crisis. Officers from the 107th Precinct responded and, according to NYPD, Chakraborty ran at them with a knife. Officers opened fire, critically wounding him. The Chakraborty family stated they called for medical assistance, not police intervention, sparking new questions about 911 call triage and response protocols.
Mamdani’s Response to the Incident
Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Mamdani acknowledged that the shooting illustrated the need for his proposed Department of Community Safety. He reiterated that the city must develop systems where mental health professionals, not police officers, respond to calls involving emotionally disturbed persons who pose no immediate violent threat. However, he also acknowledged that his campaign-era opposition to police response must be refined.
Evolving the Department Concept
During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani proposed creating a $1.1 billion civilian Department of Community Safety to handle mental health crises, homelessness, gun violence, and hate crimes. The proposal included scaling up existing programs like B-HEARD, which deploys paramedics and mental health workers from NYC Health + Hospitals to 911 mental health calls without police involvement. B-HEARD currently operates in limited neighborhoods and responds to only a fraction of appropriate calls.
The Co-Response Model Question
When pressed by reporters about the Chakraborty shooting, Mayor Mamdani indicated his administration is considering a co-response model where NYPD, mental health professionals, and peer counselors would respond together to mental health crises, at least in cases where weapons might be present. This represents a refinement of his campaign platform, which suggested ending joint response teams entirely.
Campaign Platform Details
The whitepaper released during Mamdani’s campaign, developed by his closest adviser Elle Bisgaard-Church, proposed ending co-response teams entirely and handing calls off to crisis and outreach teams better positioned to address people’s needs. However, mental health professionals raised concerns about this approach, arguing that some situations require police presence to ensure responder and public safety.
Legislation Advancing Through City Council
Legislation to establish the Department of Community Safety is advancing through the City Council. According to officials, the administration has begun hiring staff to develop the department under First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. However, the exact staffing structure, chain of command, and scope of authority remain unclear.
B-HEARD Program as Foundation
The administration is considering B-HEARD expansion as the foundation for the new department’s mental health response work. B-HEARD has demonstrated capacity to respond to mental health calls without police involvement, though the program has faced criticism for slow expansion and failure to meet demand. The program currently responds to thousands of calls annually, but NYPD responds to approximately 180,000 calls involving emotionally disturbed individuals.
Support from Public Health Advocates
Organizations including the Vera Institute of Justice and academic researchers have published detailed implementation guides supporting the Department of Community Safety concept. These resources emphasize that crisis response teams work best when they have authority to provide ongoing care, not just immediate de-escalation.
Questions Remaining
Mental health professionals and city officials have raised questions about when police would be dispatched alongside civilian responders. The answer to this question will likely determine the department’s effectiveness. Mayor Mamdani said his administration is internally discussing protocols for determining when weapons are likely present and when police response is necessary.
Comparison to Existing Models
Other cities have implemented civilian crisis response programs with varying degrees of success. The Eugene, Oregon CAHOOTS program, often cited as a model, responds to thousands of calls annually without police involvement. However, experts note these programs work best in conjunction with permanent housing solutions and long-term supportive services. Learn more about crisis response alternatives, civilian response programs, and NYPD response protocols.
