NYC unveiling plan to get mentally ill homeless off the streets

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio is rolling out the first part of a major initiative to aid New Yorkers suffering from mental illnesses.

The program is meant to support those with serious mental illnesses who are a threat to hurt themselves or others.

De Blasio said Thursday that the city would create a hub that would better coordinate response among city agencies.

The mayor said that for too long, these New Yorkers - some of whom are homeless - have not received adequate care.

Thursday morning on East 125th Street and Lexington Avenue, where an emotionally disturbed homeless man was restrained by police who patiently wait for medical help, ask anyone in East Harlem and they'll tell you he is one of many, that the homeless situation has exploded there in recent weeks largely because of K2, a synthetic marijuana causing some to lash out.

One woman, a recovering addict herself, explained the problem.

"I feel like they don't wanna go in the shelter, they just wanna smoke the k2 constantly," said Bronx resident Leanna Franco. ("K2 making it worse?," we asked.) "Ten times worse," she said.

"Over 700 visits to emergency rooms in this city were occurring over the past several months," said NYPD Chief of Housing Carlos Gomez.

"We're very focused on the K2 problem," said Mayor de Blasio.

The mayor and his administration, just a few hours later at a round table at City Hall, hoped to mention the homeless problem as little as possible.

But the mayor is unveiling a brand new initiative called "NYC Safe". Its purpose is to get more help and treatment for the mentally ill who are inclined to turn violent.

Here are a few components of his $22 million dollar initiative.

- Within 30 days, more peace officers in homeless shelters.

- Within 60 days, more clinical staff to work with mentally ill who are homeless.

- Within 90 days, a central "Hub", merging the NYPD and mental health clinicians.

However, throughout his entire media event Thursday, the mayor took this approach:

"Some in the media have tried to portray this as about homelessness, first and foremost it's not," he said. "It's about people who have mental health challenges and are prone to violence."

A plan he says targets all New Yorkers with severe mental illness, with their safety, and the public's in mind. "I expect that as this fully progresses, it will reduce violent crime. It stands to reason," the mayor said.

The program is part of the administration's moves to overhaul its policy in dealing with mental illnesses and the homeless.

The city's homeless population has risen since de Blasio took office, attracting tabloid and TV attention.

Last week, de Blasio announced another big step in delivering on his campaign promise to overhaul the city's mental health system.

The new $30 million initiative called Connections to Care provides community-based mental health care for those who can't find it or afford it, and is the largest public/private partnership from a mayoral initiative first started under the Guliani administration.

It is also a cause that is very personal one for First Lady Chirlane McCray, who has been quite open about the personal struggles of daughter Chiara.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)