Hochul's Plan Sparks Concern Over Treatment of Homeless in NYC Subways
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans to expand a state-run program called SCOUT, which sends teams of behavioral nurses and police officers into subway stations to force homeless people into hospital care after a nurse determines they're at risk of harming themselves or others. The goal is to provide immediate care and support, but critics argue that the approach may not be effective in addressing homelessness unless individuals have access to permanent housing.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has proposed a softer approach, replacing police officers with "transit ambassadors" who offer assistance with emergencies, directions, accessibility, and other transit information. He also plans to establish a Department of Community Safety that would deploy mental health workers to some emergency calls instead of the NYPD.
The contrast between Hochul's plan and Mamdani's proposal highlights the differing views on how to address homelessness in New York City's subways. Critics argue that forcing people into care without addressing the underlying issue of lack of housing can lead to a revolving door between hospitals, shelters, jails, and the streets.
Proponents of SCOUT, like Brian Stettin, the creator of the PATH program, claim that the approach has helped 7,500 mentally ill homeless individuals receive inpatient hospital care. However, others have raised concerns about the use of police force to remove people from subway stations, citing instances where individuals were handcuffed and subjected to "spit hoods" before being taken to hospitals.
Hochul's plan has been met with skepticism by some, including Dave Giffen, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless. "Simply increasing the number of SCOUT teams won't have any actual effect because the underlying problem of individuals having no homes remains unaddressed and ignored," he said.
As Mamdani considers his own approach to addressing homelessness in the subways, questions remain about whether his vision can effectively address the complex issue at hand.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans to expand a state-run program called SCOUT, which sends teams of behavioral nurses and police officers into subway stations to force homeless people into hospital care after a nurse determines they're at risk of harming themselves or others. The goal is to provide immediate care and support, but critics argue that the approach may not be effective in addressing homelessness unless individuals have access to permanent housing.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has proposed a softer approach, replacing police officers with "transit ambassadors" who offer assistance with emergencies, directions, accessibility, and other transit information. He also plans to establish a Department of Community Safety that would deploy mental health workers to some emergency calls instead of the NYPD.
The contrast between Hochul's plan and Mamdani's proposal highlights the differing views on how to address homelessness in New York City's subways. Critics argue that forcing people into care without addressing the underlying issue of lack of housing can lead to a revolving door between hospitals, shelters, jails, and the streets.
Proponents of SCOUT, like Brian Stettin, the creator of the PATH program, claim that the approach has helped 7,500 mentally ill homeless individuals receive inpatient hospital care. However, others have raised concerns about the use of police force to remove people from subway stations, citing instances where individuals were handcuffed and subjected to "spit hoods" before being taken to hospitals.
Hochul's plan has been met with skepticism by some, including Dave Giffen, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless. "Simply increasing the number of SCOUT teams won't have any actual effect because the underlying problem of individuals having no homes remains unaddressed and ignored," he said.
As Mamdani considers his own approach to addressing homelessness in the subways, questions remain about whether his vision can effectively address the complex issue at hand.
? Now it's like they're a crime against society 
. I don't think forcing them into hospital care is gonna help 'em in the long run...they need a place to call home, ya know? 
My granddad used to say that when he was on the streets, people didn't just become homeless, they lost their homes because of circumstances like poverty and lack of affordable housing. We need to address those issues before we can talk about treating homelessness in subways...it's all about fixing the root cause, not just patching up symptoms 
I'm worried about this new plan by Hochul... I mean, what's wrong with giving people a helping hand instead of handcuffing them? 
I'd rather see some real investment in affordable housing and community programs that can provide long-term support for people struggling with mental health issues. Just seems like we're just patching up the symptoms instead of addressing the root cause. 
like whats wrong with ppl? cant they just get some help without bein forced into a hospital? i mean im all for mental health and stuff but forcing people to get treatment is not the answer, you gotta address the root of the problem which is lack of housing, dont u think? 
that's soooo not right.
. Forcing homeless people into hospitals just doesn't seem like a long-term solution to their problems. Like, what's the point of sending them to hospital care if they don't have anywhere safe to go back to? It's like putting a Band-Aid on a much deeper wound 
. We need to address the root cause of homelessness, which is often lack of affordable housing and mental health support. By deploying mental health workers and offering assistance with emergencies and directions, we can really make a difference in people's lives 
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. It's not a humane way to deal with homeless folks who are already struggling. What we need is more permanent housing options, not just temporary fixes 
. The governor's plan might be helping some people get hospital care, but it's not addressing the root cause of homelessness. We need to prioritize affordable housing and support services that can help people get back on their feet 
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, especially with the idea of deploying mental health workers in emergency calls. It's all about providing support and resources instead of just shoving people into hospitals or shelters. And let's be real, if you've seen The Handmaid's Tale, we don't need that kind of "help" 
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️ Mamdani's proposal sounds more humane, let's hope his Department of Community Safety can make a real difference! 