public advocate's plan to address mental health crisis with more bureaucratic 'panels' is 'neglectful'
Share and Follow

Mayor Eric Adams criticized Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a far-left figure, for suggesting the state should initiate a review process that has never been used before. Williams proposed this process to evaluate a case where police fatally shot a 61-year-old mentally ill man in Queens who had confronted them with a large knife. Adams believes this proposal further highlights why regular New Yorkers feel let down by the Democratic party.

“Plans like these are precisely what I, and so many others, mean when saying, ‘the party left working-class people,’” Adams, a Democratic running for re-election as an independent, said in a statement Saturday. 

“It doesn’t take a mental health professional to see that their fellow New Yorkers are suffering on our streets and in the subways, but the public advocate’s plan tries to deny what we all are witnessing daily with our own two eyes.” 

Williams wrote letters to state and city officials this week noting the state under a decade-old law can convene “mental health incident review panels” in cases like Monday’s fatal shooting to ID systemic failures, but added NYC has never requested such a panel.

However, Adams said “New Yorkers who ride the subway or walk our streets can plainly see and feel that the solution to the mental illness crisis isn’t more government bureaucracy.” 

“Convening a panel to review every episode of severe mental illness in our city is purposefully neglectful and denies urgently-needed care to those in desperate need of it,” he added.

Williams’ request comes as Adams is trying to convince Albany pols to expand the city’s powers to involuntarily remove mentally ill people from public spaces and bring them to hospitals.

“New Yorkers with SMI [serious mental illness] are in dire need of treatment, yet often refuse it because they are too sick to know they need help,” said Adams.

“We must change that culture, clarify our policies, and rewrite the law — that’s why, for years, I’ve been calling for common-sense reforms to our state mental health laws to focus on action, care, and compassion.

“The public advocate can discuss that at his next panel, while we continue our work on the streets and in the subways saving lives.”

NYPD brass have defended the cops in the shooting, saying they were forced to defend themselves against the blade-wielding man.

Reps for Williams did not return messages.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Iranian president says his country is at 'total war' with the US, Israel and Europe: reports

Iran Declares ‘Total War’ Against US, Israel, and Europe Amid Escalating Tensions: President’s Bold Statement Sparks Global Concern

Huckabee says Iran’s ‘ultimate goal is to destroy the US’ At a…
Head of America's 'free enterprise' college optimistic about academia despite left-wing bias: 'there is hope'

Why the Free Enterprise College Leader Sees a Bright Future Amid Academic Left-Wing Bias

PHOENIX — Despite the prevalent perception of excessive administrative layers and a…
C-reactive protein outranks ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker

C-reactive Protein Surpasses LDL Cholesterol as Primary Indicator of Heart Disease Risk

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United…
Streaking Nets' unexpected rise reaches new heights with win over Timberwolves

Brooklyn Nets Defy Odds with Thrilling Victory Over Timberwolves, Extending Impressive Winning Streak

Cam Thomas made his much-anticipated return to the court for the first…
FBI agents detail Kash Patel's 'diva' behavior over screen time

FBI Agents Reveal Kash Patel’s Demands for Screen Time: Inside the Diva Drama

FBI agents have recently unveiled concerns regarding Director Kash Patel, alleging that…
Gilded Age mansion is transformed after it's saved from demolition

Historic Gilded Age Mansion Rescued from Demolition and Beautifully Restored

A once-dilapidated mansion from the Gilded Age has experienced a remarkable revival,…
Evacuations in California as gas pipeline bursts amid landslide fears

California Residents Evacuated Due to Gas Pipeline Rupture and Landslide Concerns

A significant gas pipeline rupture occurred in California’s valley on Saturday evening,…
Is 'soft saving' smart — or short-sighted?

Is ‘Soft Saving’ a Wise Financial Strategy or a Potential Pitfall?

(NerdWallet) – Have you ever found yourself setting aside less money for…