Assemblymember pitches bold alternative to traditional policing in effort to prevent crime and improve public safety
Queens Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani unveiled an ambitious proposal this week to reshape how New York City approaches public safety. The Astoria and Long Island City representative announced plans to establish a $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety (DCS) if elected mayor, aiming to reduce crime through prevention, mental health care, and community-based services rather than increased policing.
The 17-page policy blueprint, released Tuesday, outlines a vision for a new city agency tasked with addressing the root causes of crime. Mamdani’s plan targets four major public safety issues: mental health, gun violence, hate crimes, and victim support. The department would serve as a central hub to coordinate and fund various existing programs while introducing new initiatives designed to build safety through social investment rather than enforcement.
“This is a plan that centers New Yorkers’ real needs,” Mamdani said at a press conference. “Police have a critical role, but right now they’re being used to compensate for the failures of our social safety net. That’s not their job—and it’s not working.”
A Shift from Enforcement to Prevention
The proposed Department of Community Safety would oversee a broad portfolio of services, consolidating and expanding existing city initiatives under a unified umbrella. It would not replace the NYPD or reduce its current number of officers, according to Mamdani. Instead, the department is designed to complement police efforts by reducing the burden on law enforcement through strategic investments in preventative care and crisis intervention.
Central to the plan is the expansion of mental health services across New York City. Mamdani’s DCS would deploy teams of mental health professionals to over 100 subway stations and renovate underused Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) commercial spaces into walk-in medical centers. These facilities would offer mental health and social services, helping to prevent crises before they escalate into emergency situations.
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The DCS would also increase funding for the Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD), a program that sends unarmed social workers and medical professionals to certain 911 calls involving mental health issues.
Community-Based Solutions to Gun Violence
Gun violence prevention is another pillar of Mamdani’s plan. The report calls for a $337 million investment in the city’s Crisis Management System (CMS), a network of community-based organizations that deploy violence interrupters to mediate conflicts before they turn deadly.
By supporting local nonprofits and empowering residents to address violence from within their communities, Mamdani believes the city can reduce shootings without relying solely on traditional law enforcement. “We have tried more officers, more jails, more surveillance. What we have not tried—at scale—is giving communities the tools they need to stop violence before it begins,” he said.
This preventative philosophy also extends to hate crime education. The proposal includes funding for educational programs like the Summer Rising initiative and COMPASS, alongside support for the city’s Interagency Committee on Hate Crimes. These efforts aim to raise awareness, promote tolerance, and provide resources for both victims and communities.
Funding and Feasibility
Mamdani’s campaign estimates that the DCS would require a $1.1 billion annual budget. Of that, $605 million would be reallocated from existing city agencies and programs, while $455 million would come from new funding streams—some of which have yet to be clearly identified.
Critics have already begun to question the financial viability of the proposal, particularly the lack of detailed funding sources for the additional $455 million. Still, Mamdani maintains that the plan is fiscally sound and rooted in a long-term strategy for cost-effective crime reduction.
“This is not just a budget line—it’s an investment in safer streets, healthier communities, and a more just city,” he said. “Every dollar spent on prevention is a dollar saved on emergency response, incarceration, and long-term harm.”
A Departure from Status Quo Politics
Mamdani’s proposal stands in stark contrast to the public safety platforms of his primary opponents, including incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and former Comptroller Scott Stringer.
While Adams has focused heavily on police recruitment and restoring NYPD staffing levels to pre-pandemic numbers, Mamdani has deliberately distanced his platform from traditional law-and-order rhetoric. His campaign criticizes both Adams and Cuomo for doubling down on strategies that have, in his view, failed to deliver lasting safety.
“The Department of Community Safety will turn the page on the broken solutions peddled by Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo—approaches that have not made New Yorkers safer,” his campaign said in a statement.
Cuomo, meanwhile, has proposed hiring 5,000 additional NYPD officers if elected—a 15% staffing increase. He insists that enhanced policing is the fastest path to restoring public confidence. “New Yorkers deserve to feel secure in their neighborhoods, on the streets, and in the subways,” Cuomo said in a recent statement. “My plan brings discipline, accountability, and leadership to policing while respecting civil liberties.”
Stringer has echoed similar sentiments, calling for a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan to address what he describes as a “massive staffing crisis” at the NYPD.
“The NYPD has just 33,473 officers—the lowest level since 1991—even though our population has grown by nearly one million,” Stringer wrote on social media. “That’s unacceptable.”
Controversy and Criticism
Mamdani has long been a polarizing figure in the city’s political scene. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he’s often criticized for his vocal opposition to increased police funding. Opponents have framed his platform as “anti-police,” a label Mamdani rejects.
“This plan does not cut the NYPD’s funding, nor does it reduce officer headcount,” he clarified. “It adds a new layer of public safety infrastructure so officers can focus on what they are trained for, not mental health crises or social work.”
George Grasso, a former Queens Criminal Court judge and ex-NYPD official, offered cautious support for Mamdani’s concept. “I give credit to him for some original thoughts here,” said Grasso, who ran unsuccessfully for Queens District Attorney in 2023. “But the devil is going to be in the details. This cannot succeed if it undermines coordination with the NYPD.”
Public Safety and the 2025 Election
Polls consistently show public safety remains one of the top concerns for New York City voters, alongside affordability and housing. With crime rates fluctuating and confidence in government still recovering post-pandemic, candidates across the political spectrum are vying to present the most credible—and appealing—solutions.
Mamdani’s approach, while unconventional, taps into a growing appetite among progressives for alternatives to punitive policing. His campaign is betting that voters are ready for a more holistic model of safety—one rooted not just in enforcement, but in care, prevention, and equity.
Still, he faces steep challenges in persuading a broad electorate, many of whom continue to equate safety with police presence. Whether voters embrace Mamdani’s plan may hinge on his ability to connect these abstract policy shifts with tangible improvements in their daily lives.
As the mayoral race heats up, the future of public safety in New York City will likely remain at the center of debate. Mamdani’s Department of Community Safety has opened a bold new chapter in that conversation—whether it becomes policy or simply part of the political dialogue remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is proposing the new Department of Community Safety (DCS)?
The proposal comes from Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Queens lawmaker representing Astoria and Long Island City. He is running for mayor of New York City and has made public safety a central part of his platform.
What is the Department of Community Safety (DCS)?
The DCS is a proposed new city agency focused on preventing crime through non-police measures such as mental health support, violence prevention programs, and community outreach. Its aim is to address the root causes of crime and improve safety citywide without expanding police forces.
How much will the DCS cost to implement?
The total estimated cost is $1.1 billion annually. Of that, $605 million would be reallocated from existing departments, while $455 million would require new funding sources.
Will this department replace or defund the NYPD?
No. According to Mamdani, the DCS will not reduce NYPD staffing or funding. It is intended to work alongside the police by handling responsibilities such as mental health crises, which are currently not part of traditional police training.
Why is Zohran Mamdani proposing this now?
Public safety remains one of the top concerns for New Yorkers. Mamdani believes the current system relies too heavily on policing and fails to address the social conditions that lead to crime. His proposal is a response to these structural issues.
How is this different from Mayor Eric Adams’ approach?
Mayor Adams has prioritized increasing NYPD recruitment and restoring pre-pandemic officer levels. In contrast, Mamdani’s plan does not call for more police officers, but for community-based, public health-driven safety initiatives.
Conclusion
Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to establish a $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety represents a bold reimagining of public safety in New York City. Rather than relying solely on traditional law enforcement, Mamdani envisions a system that prioritizes prevention, mental health, and community-driven solutions. While the plan faces questions about funding and implementation, it signals a significant shift in how leaders are thinking about safety in urban environments.