Hochul's plan to force homeless people into hospital care through a state-run program called SCOUT has raised concerns among city officials and advocates, who argue that a softer approach is needed. Governor Kathy Hochul wants to expand the SCOUT program from 10 teams to 15 and deploy more behavioral nurses and police officers into subway stations to intervene in situations where homeless individuals are at risk of harming themselves or others.
However, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has proposed a different approach, which involves removing police officers from homeless outreach efforts and replacing them with "transit ambassadors" who can provide assistance with emergencies, directions, accessibility, and other transit information to riders. This approach aims to address the underlying issues of homelessness by providing mental health support and connecting people with permanent housing.
Critics argue that forcing homeless individuals into care through programs like SCOUT is ineffective unless they are placed in permanent housing. Dave Giffen, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless, says that increasing the number of SCOUT teams won't address the root cause of homelessness if placement into supportive housing isn't a key component of the approach.
The debate highlights the need for a more nuanced and multi-faceted approach to addressing homelessness in New York City's subways. While Governor Hochul's plan may improve safety on the subway, critics question its effectiveness without providing long-term support and services for homeless individuals. Mayor-elect Mamdani's vision for a Department of Community Safety that deploys mental health workers to emergency calls is seen as a more promising alternative, but it remains to be implemented.
However, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has proposed a different approach, which involves removing police officers from homeless outreach efforts and replacing them with "transit ambassadors" who can provide assistance with emergencies, directions, accessibility, and other transit information to riders. This approach aims to address the underlying issues of homelessness by providing mental health support and connecting people with permanent housing.
Critics argue that forcing homeless individuals into care through programs like SCOUT is ineffective unless they are placed in permanent housing. Dave Giffen, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless, says that increasing the number of SCOUT teams won't address the root cause of homelessness if placement into supportive housing isn't a key component of the approach.
The debate highlights the need for a more nuanced and multi-faceted approach to addressing homelessness in New York City's subways. While Governor Hochul's plan may improve safety on the subway, critics question its effectiveness without providing long-term support and services for homeless individuals. Mayor-elect Mamdani's vision for a Department of Community Safety that deploys mental health workers to emergency calls is seen as a more promising alternative, but it remains to be implemented.
So I'm reading about this new plan by Governor Hochul to help homeless people in NYC and I gotta say, I think we need a more compassionate approach 
. Forcing them into hospital care through the SCOUT program might improve safety on the subway, but it's not gonna solve the underlying issues of homelessness 
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. It makes sense to address the root cause of homelessness instead of just treating symptoms 
. I also love the idea of deploying mental health workers to emergency calls as a Department of Community Safety 
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. We can't just rely on one solution and expect it to work 
️. I hope Mayor-elect Mamdani's vision becomes a reality soon and we start seeing real change in the city 
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. i dunno about transit ambassadors, but it sounds like a good start, as long as they're gettin the right ppl with the right skills to help out.
on the other hand, mayor-elect mamdani's approach seems more holistic by providing mental health support and connecting people with permanent housing 
but critics say it's hard to implement and needs more funding 
what do you guys think? should we be focusing on short-term safety or long-term solutions for homelessness? 
read more about the scout program here: 
I mean, we need to get to the root of the issue, right? It's not just about tossing 'em a rope and hoping they climb outta their own mess. We need more than just a band-aid solution here.
What about all the people who don't want help? Or can't get help because they're stuck in a system that doesn't work for them?
. SCOUT sounds like it's just pavin' the way for people gettin' stuck in hospital care instead of actual help 
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but critics got a point too 
we need to address the root cause of homelessness for real 
not just fix the symptoms 
mental health support and directions are key 
let's hope his department of community safety plan works out 
but we gotta keep an open mind 
. Its like puttin a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, ya know? We need to address the root cause of homelessness, which is affordable housing and mental health support. SCOUT sounds like a rushed solution just to make the city look good on paper 
. What we really need is a system that provides long-term support and services for people struggling with addiction and mental illness. Transit ambassadors sound like a great idea, I mean who doesnt love help from friendly strangers 
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. I'm all for it! Let's get those transit ambassadors on the job and see if we can't help these people find their way back to stability 
I don't think forcing people into hospitals is the answer 
. It's just gonna push 'em further down and make things harder for themselves in the long run. We need to get to the root of the issue, ya know? Fixing the mental health system, providing proper housing... it's all about support and help, not lockin' people up 
. Those transit ambassadors sound like a solid idea, though 
. This whole thing feels like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound 
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