Press Room

"Today’s mental health announcement thankfully centers support over enforcement, as opposed to strategies put forward in the past. Each of the three prongs of this plan are important, each are valuable, and each comes with concerns about implementation.

"Overdose prevention is urgent and essential. Expanding overdose prevention centers should be at the forefront of this work in our city just as New York should be at the forefront of the harm reduction effort nationally. I’m grateful the administration is supportive of OPCs in principle, and this must be paired with clear, consistent funding streams and a push for the governor to authorize centers and allocate funding. 24 Hour access and an increase in sites would directly, demonstrably save lives, and it’s inexcusable to deny these resources.

"Clubhouses are important spaces for New Yorkers struggling with severe mental illness, and expanding them is a welcome, important part of a holistic mental health plan. That plan must also include respite centers, though, which operate through a model equipped to provide the kind of immediate, walk-in crisis care that is needed.  

"Lastly, supporting the mental health of young people, including through telehealth, is vital. At the same time, questions and concerns remain about agencies involved in identifying the need for services and the path for their provision – it is critically important that we support families, rather than police or penalize them.

"I continue to appreciate the administration’s welcome focus on mental health – one I share. Moving forward, I hope to work with them to ensure that the ideal of support is met with implementation strategies and funding levels that truly, compassionately, effectively address this crisis on all fronts."

NEW YORK: At a hearing of the City Council Committee on Public Safety today, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams highlighted misuse of and misconduct by the NYPD Strategic Response Group, and called for them to be removed from policing protests. He also urged greater transparency from the department, and condemned the administration’s absence at the hearing, itself calling their decision not to attend “shameful, and an affront to this Council and to New York City as a whole.”

The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group (SRG) was originally formed to combat terrorism, and equipped as such, but was quickly deployed to protests. As the Public Advocate stated, “The results of the SRG’s presence at protests have been aggressive and chaotic, and have invariably escalated nonviolent protests into dangerous and violent environments… I myself have had the brunt of over-response to protests, several protests, including SRG, including at Occupy Wall Street and at the George Floyd protests of 2020. I’ve also filmed and witnessed it.”

The Public Advocate also highlighted a high rate of misconduct allegations against the SRG, and a lack of transparency and accountability, noting “ A report published last month examining complaints of police misconduct investigated by the CCRB revealed that the CCRB was only able to substantiate 88 of 321 complaints received. The reason this number is so low is not because misconduct did not occur; rather, NYPD officers engaged in purposeful actions to conceal their identity to avoid identification. The NYPD also impeded CCRB investigations by delaying responses to requests for body-worn camera footage, claiming footage did not exist, turning over the wrong footage, and refusing to be interviewed remotely. I would say some of the things that were substantiated by CCRB in the past, some of the worst ones, are officers lying, on record, and nothing happened.”

After noting that the unit has responded differently to protests based on the cause and makeup of the protestors, the Public Advocate concluded saying “Deploying the SRG to police protests has demonstrably resulted in unnecessary abuse and violence, and their presence should no longer be allowed at protests. It is unsurprising that the SRG frequently uses excessive force, as they are a specialized unit trained to respond to terrorism and violent crime; over time, the NYPD has conflated terrorism and protest, leading to the deployment of officers and militarized gear to largely nonviolent demonstrations.”

The Public Advocate’s full remarks as delivered are below.

STATEMENT AS DELIVERED BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS

TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

MARCH 1, 2023

Good morning,

My name is Jumaane D. Williams, and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. I would like to thank Chair Hanks and the members of the Committee on Public Safety for holding this important hearing, and thank everyone for being here. Particularly with the administration and NYPD not being here – I held out hope that they would, I think it’s shameful and an affront to this Council and to New York city as a whole. I understand that there are some legal concerns, I do think just being present, even if it was to read the statement that was submitted, would have shown some respect to the process and to having this conversation in a public forum.

In 2015, the NYPD formed the Strategic Response Group—or SRG—to combat terrorism. This is a voluntary unit that has attracted officers who reportedly want to see “more action,” and outfits them with riot gear and heavy weaponry, including military-grade Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) and machine guns. Originally, the unit was to consist of 350 officers with a budget of $13 million; quickly, that ballooned to more than 700 officers with nearly $90 million in funds, including $10.2 million in overtime last year alone.

The SRG’s involvement in policing protests, as we have seen, seem to be more about suppressing speech and assembly, and less about keeping everyone safe. Following criticism of the SRG potentially policing large-scale protests, the NYPD claimed in 2015 that the SRG would not be involved in covering protests; however, the NYPD began deploying the SRG to protests later that year. 

The results of the SRG’s presence at protests have been aggressive and chaotic, and have invariably escalated nonviolent protests into dangerous and violent environments. The SRG beat protestors with batons; sprayed crowds with pepper spray; rammed into protestors on their bikes; entrapped protestors using barriers such as shields, bikes, and metal gates with no way for people to escape (a tactic known as “kettling”); and blasted crowds with noise cannons. I myself have had the brunt of over-response to protest, several protests, including SRG, including at Occupy Wall Street and at the George Floyd protests of 2020. I’ve also filmed and witnessed it. 

Many SRG unit members have multiple misconduct complaints against them: of the 62 SRG officers and supervisors identified by The Appeal in videos from 2020 protests, 46 SRG members had 292 misconduct allegations filed against them with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). These complaints included abuse of authority, excessive force, offensive language, and discourtesy. Considering this history, the SRG’s abusive behavior is unsurprising.

Further, a report published last month examining complaints of police misconduct investigated by the CCRB revealed that the CCRB was only able to substantiate 88 of 321 complaints received. The reason this number is so low is not because misconduct did not occur; rather, NYPD officers engaged in purposeful actions to conceal their identity to avoid identification. The NYPD also impeded CCRB investigations by delaying responses to requests for body-worn camera footage, claiming footage did not exist, turning over the wrong footage, and refusing to be interviewed remotely. I would say some of the things that were substantiated by CCRB in the past, some of the worst ones, are officers lying, on record, and nothing happened.

The SRG does not police all protestors equally. This was best exemplified in 2018, when the SRG allowed the Proud Boys to march without a permit, and backed away when they began to beat and shout homophobic slurs at counter-protestors. If my memory serves me correctly, they were also ushered into the train without having to pay their fare. Most recently, the SRG was present at a rally held by an anti-trans group, at which a number of transgender rights activists and supporters counter-protested. The SRG, which those present at the protest reported outnumbered the counter-protestors, engaged in a physical altercation with the counter-protestors, arresting nine.

Deploying the SRG to police protests has demonstrably resulted in unnecessary abuse and violence, and their presence should no longer be allowed at protests. It is unsurprising that the SRG frequently uses excessive force, as they are a specialized unit trained to respond to terrorism and violent crime; over time, the NYPD has conflated terrorism and protest, leading to the deployment of officers and militarized gear to largely nonviolent demonstrations. Even the NYPD referred to their response to the 2020 protests as an “inefficient deployment of resources.”

The SRG’s behavior has resulted in numerous lawsuits and complaints against the NYPD and New York City, resulting in a significant financial burden on a city still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The city must, at a minimum, require greater transparency from the NYPD and the SRG on training, disciplinary records, and allegations of abuse. I look forward to working with the Committee on Public Safety and the City Council, and hopefully, the administration themselves and NYPD, to create safe and equitable communities for all New Yorkers.

I do want to say – it is very hard to be shocked that a unit that was trained to address and deal with terrorism, then sent to deal with nonviolent protests, would now have the kind of response we have seen. I understand the need to have people trained to address and deal with terrorism and violent crime. Sending that same unit to deal with nonviolent protests will only lead to the type of videos and things that we have seen, so hopefully, even without coming to this hearing, there are changes on the way, and I look forward to seeing what that would be. 

Thank you.

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams on Friday condemned the abuse of facial recognition technology for targeting and denying the rights of New Yorkers. During an oversight hearing of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection led by Chair Marjorie Velázquez, he presented several of the dangers of ‘non-consensual data capture,’ and argued for regulations and restrictions to prevent intrusions and injustices.

“While there are security concerns that impact the decision making of private businesses, the City of New York cannot let businesses broadly use facial recognition technology and run afoul of everyone’s right to privacy as granted under the U.S. Constitution,” argued Public Advocate Williams.

The Public Advocate’s comments, and the hearing itself, focused on MSG Entertainment’s reported use of facial recognition to bar and remove individuals from events at its venues based on the attendee’s connections to legal action against the company. This facial recognition-fueled ‘blacklisting’ has drawn intense scrutiny and condemnation.

“We must engage in discussions now on how to address and prevent the use and abuse of all these technologies,” continued the Public Advocate. “It can’t be left up to businesses and big corporations, or to a few billionaires and millionaires.”

The Public Advocate and his office have long been engaged with issues surrounding facial recognition, partnering with advocates on the Ban the Scan campaign in 2021 to raise awareness of and create protections around the dangers of both public and private use of the tool. In addition to privacy concerns, he has repeatedly highlighted issues of racial injustice with this technology – which is far more likely to mis-identify Black individuals.

The Public Advocate’s full comments from today’s hearing are below.

STATEMENT AS DELIVERED BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS

TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

Good afternoon,

My name is Jumaane D. Williams, and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. I would like to thank Chair Velázquez and the members of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection for holding this hearing and for allowing me to say a few words. I want to start by aligning myself with your words, and with your awesome article in City and State today.

Fundamentally, New Yorkers are protected by the First Amendment’s right to privacy. Individuals should expect that they can freely conduct private transactions without being surveilled. To that end, in 2021 my office partnered with then Borough President Gale Brewer, Amnesty International, S.T.O.P, and AI For the People on a Ban the Scan campaign, raising awareness of the dangers of public and private use of facial recognition AI. At that time I asked the previous administration to 1- Cease use of all facial recognition technology, 2 - Permanently destroy data collected and used for facial recognition in the past, and 3 - Publish data concerning each instance in which facial recognition technology was utilized.

Through non-consensual data capture, businesses violate the right to privacy, and we’ve also seen much concern when it comes to law enforcement. Individuals should not be removed from a place of business, because their employer is involved in legal action against said business. Especially when the business engages in its trade, in the case at hand—selling tickets to events, and then reneges to allow the purchaser/employee to redeem the ticket they purchased. The employee is not involved in the litigation. If any business could monitor and remove people because of a grievance against an employer or someone they have a relationship with, it would mean a world where businesses have the right to bar anybody from any establishment based on a tangential connection. Moreover, there was another instance where a parent was denied entry to an event on a school trip in which they were serving as an escort. This act created safety risk for the children as well as creating a stressful situation for the other adult who had to care for more children on their own. 

Furthermore, citizens should not be photographed, recorded, and have personal information scanned without any repercussions. In today’s economy, privacy is highly valuable. As our data broker economy continues to grow, there must be measures in place to protect New Yorkers’ privacy. It is unclear today whether facial recognition software used in private businesses is also selling the information to data brokers.

While there are security concerns that impact the decision making of private businesses, the City of New York cannot let businesses broadly use facial recognition technology and run afoul of everyone’s right to privacy as granted under the U.S. Constitution. It is important to note the many documented instances of facial recognition technology having racial and gender biases. Researchers at MIT reported in January 2019 reported that facial recognition software marketed by Amazon misidentified darker-skinned women 31% of the time, while others have “shown that algorithms used in facial recognition return false at a higher rate for African Americans than white people unless explicitly recalibrated for a black population.” Specifically, the technology misidentifies people with dark complexions 15% of the time as compared to only 3% for people with light complexions, we’ve also heard similar numbers when it comes to people of transgender experience. These findings prompted experts at Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to sign a letter calling on Amazon to stop selling its facial-recognition technology to law enforcement.

Also, facial recognition technology is only one of several biometrics technologies being developed for identification purposes. Others include Long-range cardiac signature detection, Gait analysis, and an Iris scan. We must engage in discussions now on how to address and prevent the use and abuse of all these technologies. It can’t be left up to businesses and big corporations, or to a few billionaires and millionaires.

I also just want to say as a person who suffers from the disease of ‘Knick-fandom’ when it comes to MSG, I have been scarred by many of the decisions of owner James Dolan - I have to say it’s getting a little better now, so putting that out there. But as a New Yorker, many of the antics of the owner are much worse, much more harmful, from removing people from MSG to this use of facial recognition.

I do want to put on the record that I also believe we should be reviewing the renewal of the tax abatements and exploring moving MSG as well. My hope is that someone would have been here from MSG to answer some of these questions, it is really important. There’s a point where private and public really come in connection, and we can't allow it to just run amok – government has to step in.

So I’m glad we’re having this hearing, and thank you very much, Madam Chair.

"Congratulations to the DC37 leadership and workforce on this tentative agreement, one which reflects the values and priorities of working people in and employed by our city. It’s clear that workers are standing up and taking charge on critical issues of worker justice. Increases and equity in wages, as well as financial support for child care, are essential and reflective of the moment – a moment within a pandemic that continues to shape our lives and our work.

"I am heartened to see the city finally express openness to the flexible work options I’ve long implemented and urged the administration to adopt, albeit through a limited and delayed pilot program. I assume that this pilot program will determine what so many private sector companies, as well as our own office, have long known – that flexible hybrid and remote work options are not only feasible but necessary, both to recruit and retain talent and to provide invaluable work-life balance and support for employees. Enabling hybrid work systems where possible is essential for the city in order to provide the level of services New Yorkers need.

"I hope that this agreement, if ratified, sets a path and a standard, a starting point for the rest of the city’s unionized workforce that recognizes the benefits of and need for a flexible new approach to modern, inclusive workplaces."

After touring an Overdose Prevention Center in East Harlem Wednesday and seeing other wraparound services provided on-site, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams called on the Governor to prioritize allocating funds for the operation and expansion of these lifesaving centers. Watch video of his comments after the tour here.

Overdose Prevention Centers allow people with substance use disorders to safely use drugs under medical supervision, while receiving services such as medical care, mental health treatment, and more. There are currently two locations in New York City, both run by OnPointNYC, with the second located in Washington Heights. Since the first center opened in December of 2021, staff have intervened to save lives in over 700 overdoses. They are currently doing all of this without critical state support.

“Overdose Prevention Centers and the harm reduction model that they practice are saving lives, and supporting communities with daily, demonstrable impact,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “Misconceptions and mischaracterizations about the role, impact, and operation of overdose prevention centers are pervasive, as they conflate these spaces and services with other treatment options. If everyone could see what I witnessed there, the level of care, humanity, community, and lifesaving results that emanate from these centers, they would join me in saying that we need more hours, more centers, and more funding to support their efforts.”

Last year, New York State’s Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board proposed using the funds procured through legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies that have been accused of perpetuating the opioid crisis. About $129 million of the $2 billion New York has received through these settlements will be allocated throughout the state this fiscal year to address issues related to opioid use, but that allocation does not include support for Overdose Prevention Centers.

The Public Advocate is calling for the state to provide $5 million in the coming budget to help support the services of the two existing centers and enable them to operate 24 hours a day. He also called for Governor Hochul to authorize the centers.

New York would not be the only jurisdiction allocating funds to OPCs. Rhode Island’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee recently approved and allocated $2.5 million from settlements with pharmaceutical companies for a planned overdose prevention center in Providence.

The tragedy of overdose continues to grow nationwide and in New York. There were over 106,000 overdose deaths nationally in 2021, an increase of about 15,000 over the previous year. In New York, there were 5,841 deaths in 2021, up from 4,965 in 2020.

"Supervised consumption saves lives. Period. It is a life-saving medical intervention that truly meets people where they are, extend to them the grace and compassion they deserve and give them the tools they need to stay alive. I want to thank Public Advocate Williams for his leadership in calling on the state to utilize resources from its opioid settlement fund to support OPCs and fulfill the fund’s intended objective – to support people who are impacted the most by the opioid crisis," said Sam Rivera, Executive Director of OnPoint NYC.

“Overdose prevention centers are evidence-based, proven health interventions, utilized in almost 200 countries around the world, to save lives. With the two overdose prevention centers here in New York City, we were able to reverse 633 overdoses in their first year of operation. But two overdose prevention centers, in just two neighborhoods, that are privately funded, is not enough. We need New York state lawmakers to step in to authorize and overdose prevention centers and fund them with opioid settlement funds. The purpose of that funding is to support people who are struggling with opioid use or at risk of overdose death. And the first line of support is to keep people alive,” said Toni Smith, NY State Director, Drug Policy Alliance.

After a man fleeing police in a U-Haul struck eight New Yorkers yesterday in Brooklyn, killing one, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams pushed today for legislation that would better enable the city to prevent traffic violence. In a City Council hearing of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he advocated for collaborative measures to address this violence and prevent future loss.

“Unfortunately, while yesterday had unique circumstances, it is part of a larger problem that our city bears witness to,” lamented Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “For years, traffic violence has been dubbed a 'silent epidemic.' In 2022, 255 people died from traffic crashes, and our city has not seen this figure go below 200 for years. Even with the launch of Vision Zero, the lowest number of fatalities since the inception of the program was 208 people in 2018. Every person who is a part of these numbers should be alive today.”

The Public Advocate’s bill, Int 805, would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to expedite studies of traffic crashes involving pedestrian fatalities or serious injuries every three years, an increase from the current requirement of a five years assessment. DOT would analyze the conditions and factors behind each crash and develop strategies to improve pedestrian safety. The bill would also require DOT to make publicly available inspection reports of locations that have encountered four or more crashes involving death or serious injury. The legislation, which would increase transparency and aid collaboration, was one of several traffic safety bills heard in committee today.

The Public Advocate also highlighted the neighborhoods and communities at greatest risk of traffic violence. Citing a review by Transportation Alternatives, he noted that “The top ten City Council districts with the most traffic fatalities housed a third of Black New Yorkers. In the top ten districts with the most traffic injuries, 87% of residents were people of more color. To meet the moment in our current street safety landscape, we must invest in our low-income communities and communities of more color for our collective safety.”

Public Advocate Williams’ full statement to the committee is below.

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

FEBRUARY 14, 2023

Good Morning,

My name is Jumaane D. Williams and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. This time last year, my baby daughter was born two months early, immediately in the NICU - she’s one today. We planned to take the day, but decided to come because this is such an important issue and I didn’t want to miss it. I would like to thank Chair Brooks-Powers and members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for holding this hearing. Before I begin, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge what occurred in Bay Ridge yesterday: a truck driver took the life of one person and injured numerous civilians, most of whom were pedestrians, and I hope for their speedy recovery.

Unfortunately, while yesterday had unique circumstances, it is part of a larger problem that our city bears witness to. For years, traffic violence has been dubbed a “silent epidemic.” In 2022, 255 people died from traffic crashes, and our city has not seen this figure go below 200 for years. Even with the launch of Vision Zero, the lowest number of fatalities since the inception of the program was 208 people in 2018. Every person who is a part of these numbers should be alive today. In particular, I think about the children we have lost and how their young lives were regrettably cut short by something so preventable. Our children and all New Yorkers deserve to walk their streets, ride their bicycles, and be on the road safely and out of harm’s way. We cannot become desensitized to these numbers; every traffic death is preventable, that’s what makes it so much more painful, if we make improvements and changes to street infrastructure and pedestrian safety.

Today, the Committee will hear several bills- one of them, Introduction 0805-2023. My bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to expedite studies of traffic crashes involving pedestrian fatalities or serious injuries from every five years to every three years. DOT would analyze the conditions and factors behind crashes and develop strategies to improve pedestrian safety. Strategies may include the installation of audible pedestrian signals and devices to support those with sight, hearing, and mobility impairments and prioritizing roadways and intersections for safety improvements. The bill would also require DOT to make publicly available inspection reports of locations that have encountered four or more crashes involving death or serious injury. These changes would be a starting point for greater transparency and collaboration.

Furthermore, we should increase investments and focus on communities that face the most traffic fatalities and a lack of street safety investment. According to Transportation Alternatives, in 2022, the top ten City Council districts with the most traffic fatalities housed a third of Black New Yorkers. In the top ten districts with the most traffic injuries, 87% of residents were residents of more color. To meet the moment in our current street safety landscape, we must invest in our low-income communities and communities of more color for our collective safety. 

We can envision a city free of traffic violence. It is possible. I urge my colleagues in the City Council to join me in sponsoring Int. 0805-2023. We all deserve to feel safe and know that leaving our homes and simply crossing the street does not run the risk of injury or fatality–that should be the bare minimum expectation, and I will continue to fight to ensure we make this a reality. As a driver, I know that our society is too focused on infrastructure for the vehicle, and the driver, who is the most privileged on the road even as we pose the most danger, and that has to begin to change. I want to thank the families who are here, and specifically my staff member who is here on her time, Fabiola, who lost her own son and has turned that into amazing purpose. So I want to thank you for all you do in making sure our office stays as an ally in helping with this issue.

Thank you.