This Thursday, several elected officials and community leaders announced that they would present a bill to the city council so that all 77 precincts in the city of New York would have social workers present within these precincts.
“This law will try to create a city where every individual regardless of their circumstances has access to support and resources to get ahead in life, it is about making New York City more compassionate,” said Yusef Salaam, Manhattan Councilman.
Social workers would help connect crime victims and New Yorkers with mental health issues with treatments to break the cycle of rearrest.
Likewise, the objective is to avoid cases like the one that happened to 19-year-old Win Rozario, who in March apparently experienced a mental health crisis and died after an NYPD police officer shot him in front of his mother inside his apartment.
“The first person to talk to the families would be the social worker, who is not in uniform or has a gun, using oral therapy, talking to people would solve the problems and prevent deaths,” said Norman Siegel, former director, of the Union. of Civil Liberties.
According to a report from the NYPD’s use of force department, in 2022 police officers fatally shot 13 people.
“I agree 100% to putting social workers in the barracks. It would be a very great achievement, to see if so much of what is happening here stops and it is very important because social workers are what help us,” said Blanca Ramírez, a Harlem resident.
The program would cost the city about $20 million a year, among the proposals would be to make it easier for certified social workers to enter from each community.
“The idea is to have social workers in the barracks who belong to the communities, who have already worked for years helping the residents of their neighborhoods and who even speak the same language,” said Councilman Erik Bottcher.
The councilor also posted a message on social networks about the bill.
“Today I introduced legislation with @dr_yusefsalaam and @MarkLevineNYC that would require @nycHealthy to place social workers in every police station.
“This would lead to improved outcomes through early intervention, reduced recidivism rates, and true access to social services,” the message reads.
Today I introduced legislation with @dr_yusefsalaam I’m not sure and @MarkLevineNYC that would require @nycHealthy to place social workers in every police precinct.
This would lead to improved outcomes through early intervention, reduced recidivism rates, and true access to social services. pic.twitter.com/Kzam0uXSEB
— Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) May 16, 2024
“When we talk about conversations with the community, being able to relate to each community, knowing the impact that each one’s social problems cause can make a difference,” said Terrence Coffie, professor of social work, NYU.
“It is a very good proposal because there are people who do not speak English and then only the workers are the ones who can help them. The police don’t help much in that because they would help a lot, especially to Latino people,” said Gabriel Gálvez.
The objective is for 221 social workers to work three shifts per day with a salary of 70 thousand dollars per year.
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