A recent survey commissioned by a non-profit organization has found that nearly 90% of New York City voters support expanding mandatory treatment measures for mentally ill individuals who wander the streets or subway stations. However, Governor Ho Chu faced some opposition in the state legislature over the proposed legislation related to this issue.
According to a study conducted by the Association for a Better New York (ABNY) and Tulchin Research, approximately 88% of New York City voters support broadening the criteria for mandatory treatment and care, including for those mentally ill patients who are unable to take care of themselves. The survey showed that only 4% of respondents expressed opposition, while another 8% remained undecided.
Furthermore, about 91% of voters believe that providing mandatory treatment and care for individuals with severe mental illnesses is more humane and compassionate than allowing them to roam the streets. Over half, or 53%, of those surveyed strongly support this viewpoint. Additionally, 91% of voters agree that individuals with mental illness who are unable to recognize the need for treatment should not be deprived of the opportunity to receive psychiatric care.
The survey results also indicate that voters generally perceive an increase in public safety incidents involving untreated individuals with severe mental illnesses in recent years. Around 73% of respondents share this view, with only about 18% believing these incidents have remained the same, and just 4% think they have decreased. Moreover, 86% of voters reported witnessing mentally ill individuals wandering the streets or subway stations, highlighting how such phenomena have become a daily experience for New Yorkers.
In response to these findings, the Governor’s office stated that the proposed legislation aligns with the expectations of the majority of New York City residents. Governor’s spokesperson Avery Cohen stated that this measure is in line with humanitarian principles and can enhance public safety, noting that 43 states across the United States have implemented similar laws.
However, despite widespread public support, the New York State Legislature holds differing views on the legislation. The budget proposals released by both the State Senate and Assembly did not fully adopt the Governor’s recommendations for expanding the scope of mandatory treatment. The Assembly’s version entirely omitted the proposal and instead focused on strengthening hospital discharge planning and establishing a special review mechanism to prevent incidents where mentally ill individuals may harm themselves or others.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie expressed the willingness of the legislature to consider various opinions and seek acceptable compromises. He emphasized that the subway system should not serve as temporary housing for individuals with mental illnesses and that the safety of the public when using public transportation must be ensured.
The survey was conducted from February 4 to 10 this year, interviewing 600 New York City voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.