In Albany, a novel approach to emergency calls is transforming public safety. The Community Advocacy Response Team (CART) dispatches unarmed social workers to certain nine-one-one calls, particularly those involving mental health issues. This allows police officers to concentrate on crimes, while CART addresses social needs. This model could serve as a blueprint for larger cities, including New York City, which is exploring similar initiatives. Diana Macy, a senior crisis caseworker with CART, explains their role, emphasizing their expertise in connecting people with resources for social issues. The program has shown success in Albany, with over one hundred calls responded to in its first month. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani plans to integrate alternative response programs into a new Department of Community Safety, separate from the NYPD. This shift aims to better serve the community by addressing underlying social issues rather than just reacting to incidents.

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