De Blasio to spend nearly $90M on ‘diversion centers’ for mentally ill
The de Blasio administration plans to spend nearly $90 million opening two new “diversion centers” next year for mentally ill people who don’t pose public safety threats so that they don’t end up in jails.
The drop-off centers, whose locations will be announced later this year, will provide police officers an alternative to locking up the mentally ill and are expected to divert roughly 2,400 people a year who would’ve otherwise been arrested on low-level offenses.
Project Renewal Inc. has been awarded a 10-year, $44 million contract and Samaritan Daytop Village Inc. a 10-year, $46 million contract to run the centers.
“These two new diversion centers will provide police officers with a new option for responding to the needs of some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers,” Mayor de Blasio said in a statement.
“Instead of making an arrest, police will be able to connect people to the mental health or substance abuse care they need.”
The news comes as de Blasio is backing a 10-year plan to close the Rikers Island jail facility, where 38 percent of the inmates are estimated to have mental issues.
The Health Department will hold public hearings on both contracts May 24 at its Long Island City headquarters.