Should involuntary evictions and hospitalizations be used to address what city officials are calling a crisis of homelessness and untreated mental illness in the wake of a recent spate of violence on New York City’s subways? , the question of when to do so is once again in the spotlight. New York City has promoted these measures as a key part of the solution, and Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced plans to propose changes to state law that would make involuntary hospitalizations easier.
But it’s a return to an older approach the city tried decades ago under a policy made famous by a woman named Joyce Brown. Dubbed by the media as “America’s most famous homeless man,” Brown became a test of the lengths government will go in forcing mentally ill and unsheltered New Yorkers into hospitals, and he became a test of public and social responsibility. This raised questions about how the balance should be struck. Order and civil liberties. Mr. Brown’s story brings important context and nuance to New York City’s controversial approach to one of the most intractable issues facing communities across the country today. .
This work was created by retro report. Produced by Sarah Weiser and edited by Her Muharrar.
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