The debate on how to address homelessness, particularly in NYC’s subway system continues, as Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani offer contrasting visions. Hochul is pushing for an expansion of the SCOUT program that combines behavioral nurses and police to involuntarily commit homeless individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others to hospitals. The proposal would increase the teams from 10 to 15, as reported by Gothamist.
On the other side, Mayor Mamdani has expressed interest in a less confrontational approach, suggesting a shift from police-led interventions to “transit ambassadors” focused on offering assistance within the subway system. Mamdani’s stance comes amidst considerations on the future of the PATH program, also known for its involuntary removal of homeless individuals from the subways, as stated in the same Gothamist article.
Efforts to address the underlying issue of homelessness in NYC have been brought to the forefront by a critical report from Vital City and an extensive investigation by Streetsblog. These efforts pinpoint the inefficiencies and lack of coordination among city agencies, which include the Police and Fire Departments, the public hospital system, and various other departments, according to Streetsblog NYC…