In a recent incident in New York City, a mentally disturbed homeless man, Ramon Rivera, randomly stabbed and killed three people. Mayor Adams admitted on November 26 that the city government bears responsibility for the tragic event, but he emphasized that the failures in the current mental health care and judicial systems are even more severe. He called on Washington, state governments, and city councils to take corrective actions.
Rivera, a 51-year-old psychiatric patient, was detained in a city jail for burglary, and despite attacking a prison guard during his detention in May this year, he was released on November 17 and the tragic stabbing incident occurred on November 18.
During the routine press conference on November 26, Mayor Adams explained that due to “technical reasons,” the attack incident was not taken into consideration for parole assessment in time. However, Adams stated that even if Rivera had spent more time in prison without receiving the necessary help, he would still commit similar crimes upon release.
Adams pointed out that there are systematic flaws in the current mental health care system, with insufficient long-term care beds available. Once psychiatric patients stabilize, they are discharged from facilities. Brian Stettin, Senior Advisor on Serious Mental Illness at the city government, mentioned that Rivera had previously stayed at the Manhattan Metropolitan Hospital men’s shelter, which primarily accommodates the homeless rather than providing ideal treatment and long-term care for psychiatric patients.
Adams warned that without taking corrective actions, similar incidents might occur again. He stated that besides the efforts by the city government, federal, state governments, and city councils can also do more to address the issue.
The Mayor had previously mentioned plans to expand policies for mandatory hospitalization of psychiatric patients and urged state authorities to quickly pass the “Supportive Intervention Act” to grant the city government greater powers for compulsory hospitalization. However, according to reports from the “New York Post,” sources within the city council indicated that council members had advocated for more funding to support psychiatric patients, increase bed capacities, provide supportive housing, or post-discharge care costs, but these proposals were put on hold by the city government.
Congressman Ritchie Torres, who is currently considering running for mayor, stated that the premature release of Rivera led to the tragic killings and the city government cannot evade responsibility. He emphasized the need for the city government to enact policies that prevent the early release of individuals with severe mental illnesses who pose risks to themselves and others.