Proposed bill aims to add social workers to NYPD police precincts

HARLEM, N.Y. (PIX11) -- To help address emergency response and mental health concerns, social workers could be coming to your local precinct.

On Thursday, community members outlined a city council proposal that would require the health department to staff each of the 77 police precincts with a licensed social worker.

Deescalating a situation is part of the officers training. Sponsors say the NYPD and the health department will help craft the policy during the hearing process.

Councilmember Yusef Salaam is co-sponsoring the bill. "If we pay for it now, we won't have to pay later and we will eventually have a more thriving community and city."

Neighbors, advocates, and social workers also attended the presentation.

"You are closest to the problem, you are also closest to the solution," said NYU Professor Terrence Coffie. "It can also build bridges between City Hall, the NYPD, and the community, and it becomes effective at creating change."

Social workers and counselors are needed around the city. The advocates say community members can get the training and their qualifications are enhanced because they are from the neighborhood.

In the precinct, the social worker could provide an additional resource, including potentially going on calls.

Councilmember Erik Bottcher from Chelsea and Midtown says this will help address mental health issues. "There's a lot of frustration that people cycle through the precincts and no intervention takes place."