New York Governor Kathy Hochul is urging for new legislative measures aimed at increasing the accessibility of mental health services, in light of the recent series of unsettling events in the city’s subway system. As concerns and debates rise, Governor Hochul firmly believes that these unfortunate incidents only highlight the urgency of the solution she seeks. Data collected by the NYPD and MTA reveal that crime on public transit has decreased by 5.4% overall from 2023 to 2024. However, a closer look reveals a worrying trend: homicides in the subway system have incredibly soared, doubling from five in 2023 to a frightening ten in 2024, prompting the Governor to take urgent measures.
Apart from the disturbing increase in homicides, various other violent acts have taken place recently in the public transit system, each incident feeding Governor Hochul’s desire to combat the issue. For instance, a horrifying event occurred last Tuesday when Joseph Lynskey, a subway user, was shoved off the 18th Street downtown platform in front of a No. 1 train. The accused, Kamel Hawkins, just 23 years old, is reportedly struggling with mental health issues, according to his family members.
Two weeks prior to this occurrence, the subway was the site of another atrocious crime: a lady died from severe burns, inflicted by Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who is also believed to be grappling with mental health struggles. The subway system has also witnessed a string of three stabbings in the previous fortnight, one of which tragically resulted in the loss of a life. These unsettling incidents collectively trigger Governor Hochul’s resolve for intervention.
Governor Hochul has recognized the public’s rising anxiety and addressed it openly in a recent press conference. ‘People are anxious. I understand this.’ she said, explicitly acknowledging the concerns of her constituents. Further, the governor expressed her commitment to facilitate change in mental health laws and regulations promptly. She’s determined to modify laws that can endorse court-ordered outpatient therapy for individuals deemed essential for receiving mental health care.
On the 18th Street subway platform, the site of the latest incident that left Joseph Lenkey seriously injured with a fractured skull, broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen, the reaction to Governor Hochul’s proposal was mixed. Brayan Angulo, a regular subway passenger expressed his concerns about the proposal’s gray area. ‘It sounds like a really gray area, right?’ Angulo said, highlighting the difficulty of identifying who exactly required these mental health services.
Angulo further noted that people managing stress or those with unique emotional response settings might be easily misunderstood. He emphasized that the issue is complex and multifaceted which demands considerate understanding. This sentiment that the matter is nuanced was echoed among other passengers as well.
Manhattan’s top law official, District Attorney Alvin Bragg supported the multifaceted view of this issue. In an interview, Bragg outlined that implementing such a program was not a task he could undertake solo. ‘We are partnering with parts of city government — health, homeless services, agencies that are on the frontline of the equation,’ Bragg stated, highlighting the need for cross-sector cooperation.
Several subway users agreed that solely eliminating individuals who might be dealing with mental health issues from the subway isn’t the complete solution. ‘Homelessness,’ said commuter Lynette McMurray, pointing out that more fundamental issues need to be tackled. She questioned why individuals were pushed to extremities, stating, ‘I think that should addressed because why are people so tired, why are they so crazy, why are people so fed up?’
Miguel Medina, who holds the position of Director of Programs at the Bronx-based Morris Heights Health Center, expressed similar concerns. Answering such fundamental questions necessitates more than just forced commitment of those struggling mentally. ‘I’m very concerned about that,’ Medina stated in an interview. He further questioned, ‘Removing them from the street doesn’t say that they’re getting services.’
Notwithstanding these concerns, Governor Hochul stressed that the chief objective of her proposed legislation was indeed to ensure the provision of services. In the past three years in office, Governor Hochul has presented similar proposals, all with the noble intention of enhancing mental health services. Unfortunately, none of her proposals has managed to be enacted into law.
This turn of events has not discouraged the Governor. In contrast, she has made it clear that she will continue her fight for better mental health legislation and support, intending to include the legislation as a part of her executive budget. This determination the Governor has repeatedly shown has only grown stronger with the recent unfortunate events.
Further details about Governor Hochul’s plans and ideas will be available during the Governor’s annual State of the State address scheduled for January 14. It is hoped that this occasion will shed more light on how the administration plans to handle the growing concerns around subway crime and the overlap with mental health concerns.