STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — With cold-related deaths now tallying 17, the New York City Council plans to hold oversight hearings to assess the mayoral administration’s response to historic winter conditions.
The reported deaths occurred since the end of January, as the city has endured some frigid, snowy conditions, which have affected many unsheltered individuals. Autopsy results have shown that hypothermia played a role in at least 13 of the fatalities. As of Thursday, Feb. 5, none of the reported deaths have been tied to Staten Island.
According to NBC New York, a spokesperson for the Council reported that the Public Safety and General Welfare committees are expected to hold a Feb. 10 hearing that will primarily address the cold-related deaths and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s response plan.
Since Jan. 19, the Mamdani administration has implemented enhanced Code Blue procedures, which will continue as cold weather persists. The NYC Department of Social Services, which oversees the Department of Homeless Services, has placed over 1,150 individuals in shelters or other warm locations.
“Our contracted outreach teams continue to canvass locations across the city as they intensify their efforts to encourage vulnerable New Yorkers to come inside and stay safe,” a Department of Social Services spokesperson said to the Advance/SILive.com. “We will continue to engage these individuals until we make those important breakthroughs while ensuring the health and safety of New Yorkers.”
The department has stated that they are continuing to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness including opening a new 106-bed Safe Haven facility in Lower Manhattan and 50 low-barrier beds in Upper Manhattan. They have also reported that warming centers and buses are being deployed across all five boroughs.
“This has been a full all-hands-on-deck approach,” said the newly appointed mayor at a recent news conference.
However, with weekend temperatures expected to continue dropping, there have been calls for the administration to take a more aggressive approach to safety for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
Code Blue procedures
Under enhanced Code Blue procedures, 311 calls related to homeless assistance are routed directly to 911 to speed response times. The city has also authorized additional overtime for outreach staff and coordinated with shelter providers, multiple faith organizations and over a dozen hospitals to bring people indoors.
This response plan also allows outreach teams to focus on priority individuals, making continuous contact with them if precipitation is falling. Priority lists target unsheltered people who are older, have medical or mental health conditions or appear chronically underdressed.
When first responders encounter someone who refuses shelter but appears in danger from the cold, they may transport that person to a safe location if determined necessary. In some conditions, ambulances can be dispatched to evaluate injuries, and police can assist with transportation to shelters.