NYC Council Moves To Advance Mamdani’s $1B Safety Agency That Would Swap Police for Social Workers

A progressive New York City Council member is moving forward with legislation that would create a new city agency championed by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, dramatically altering how emergency calls are handled across the city.

Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler is expected to formally introduce the bill on Thursday, saying it already has majority backing within the Council. The proposal would establish a Department of Community Safety, tasked with dispatching civilian mental health professionals rather than police officers to respond to many emergency situations.

“With a majority of Council Members, I introduced bill to create Dept of Community Safety – core plank of Zohran Mamdani’s platform,” Restler wrote on social media.

Supporters argue the new agency would redefine public safety beyond traditional policing. “Public safety is more than policing. This agency will establish 24/7 offices focused on mental health, outreach & deescalation to keep NYers safe.”

Mamdani made the proposed department a central part of his campaign, presenting it as a way to reduce police involvement in 911 calls involving individuals experiencing emotional or mental health crises.