Speaking from experience, I can guarantee that this is the wrong direction and out of touch with the reality faced by homeless New Yorkers, many of whom are victims of crime that often goes unreported. Guardian Angels volunteers conduct homeless outreach every day. We meet countless people living on the streets and in the subways, and we stop to help connect them with shelter, medical care, mental health services, or EMS. Unfortunately, from what we see on the ground, 311 rarely responds effectively to homeless related crises. Even 911 responses can take hours because emergency services are so backlogged. People experiencing homelessness are often exposed to violence and exploitation, including assault, rape, threats, and pressure to provide money for drugs. Those who became homeless because of financial hardship or other difficult circumstances can struggle to find safe, appropriate shelter. Meanwhile, the city spends billions of dollars each year on services that too often fail to get people off the streets or provide the treatment they need. Years ago, the city eliminated the NYPD’s Homeless Outreach Unit for BS political points, it’s so out of touch as many innocent homeless people struggle to feel safe. I said then that it was a mistake, and I have continued fighting to bring it back. Now, the mayor wants to further limit the NYPD’s role in responding to 311 homelessness calls, even though, in our experience, many of those calls are never addressed in the first place. We need a coordinated approach. Send mental health professionals with NYPD officers when a situation may involve a behavioral health crisis. Invest the billions allocated to the Department of Homeless Services in getting people into safe shelter, permanent housing, and treatment. When someone is a danger to themselves or others, mental health teams must have NYPD support to protect everyone involved. This requires every agency and service provider to work together. Removing another tool from the response system will not help the people living on our streets, the communities affected by homelessness, or the first responders trying to help. We should be asking: Where are the billions going, and why are not more people receiving shelter, treatment, and a path forward?