PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by William Juhn, Senior Staff Attorney at Lawyers for the Public Interest
2:01:39
·
119 sec
William Juhn, representing Lawyers for the Public Interest, testifies in support of Intro 1103, which requires NYPD to notify DOHMH of violent or traumatic incidents and connect affected community members to mental health counseling. He emphasizes the need for transparency in police misconduct cases and advocates for more fundamental changes in addressing mental health crises.
- Urges the removal of police from mental health crisis responses, citing the limitations of current programs like B-HEARD
- Recommends support for non-police, peer-led crisis response systems, such as the proposal by CCIT NYC
- Highlights that in FY2024, over 70% of mental health calls in B-HEARD pilot areas were still directed to NYPD
William Juhn
2:01:39
Good afternoon, chair Lee and council members.
2:01:41
My name is William John, and I'm a senior staff attorney at your lawyers for the public interest.
2:01:46
Thank you for this opportunity to testify today.
2:01:49
We support intro 1103 requiring the police department to notify DOHMH of a violent or traumatic incident and connecting affected community members to mental health counseling.
2:02:01
This is an important step in addressing the harm caused by police violence and ensuring that trauma survivors receive timely support.
2:02:09
We also want to emphasize that this legislation shines a much needed light on the police misconduct.
2:02:15
Transparency and accountability in these incidents are crucial to rebuilding trust and ensuring justice.
2:02:22
However, we urge the council not to stop here.
2:02:25
Real prevention of police misconduct and violence requires more fundamental changes, especially we need to stop police violence and mental health crisis calls.
2:02:35
We already know that peers and trained mental health professionals, not police officers, are best equipped to deescalate crisis and connect individuals to care.
2:02:45
Unfortunately, the city's current programs, such as the be heard program, does not meet this goal.
2:02:51
The be heard still authorizes extensive police involvement and is likely to continue the violent responses by the NYPD.
2:02:59
For example, in fiscal year 2024, more than 70% of all mental health calls in the be heard pilot areas were still directed to the NYPD.
2:03:08
The city must join other cities to remove police entirely from the equation.
2:03:13
For example, CCIT NYC is a coalition of over 80 New York City organizations and has already developed such a proposal in which teams of trained peers and EMTs who are independent of the city government will respond to mental health crisis.
2:03:30
We therefore urge the town to support a truly non police peer led, system in response to mental health crisis calls.
2:03:37
Thank you very much.
