A new program within the Albany Police Department that dispatches unarmed case workers to 911 calls – including for people having mental health issues – offers insight into how a similar effort could be launched at a much larger scale under New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Albany’s CART Team – for Community Advocacy Response Team – sends social service caseworkers in teams of two to patrol the streets in a city car. They respond to calls that don’t necessarily involve a crime, freeing armed police officers for other matters.
“The officers are the walking encyclopedia for penal codes and laws,” said Diana Macy, one of two senior crisis caseworkers who lead the program. “We’re the walking encyclopedias for resources to address social determinants.”…