NYC Ramps Up Effort to Remove Mentally Ill From Streets, Subways

Here is a 175-word summary of the news article: New York City Mayor Eric Adams is intensifying efforts to remove mentally ill individuals from the city's streets and subways. This initiative comes as Adams faces a challenging path to reelection. The mayor is directing police and health workers to more actively engage with the homeless population to connect them with treatment and services. This includes expanding the city's mental health outreach teams and allowing for the involuntary hospitalization of those deemed a danger to themselves or others. However, the plan has faced criticism from civil liberties advocates who argue it infringes on the rights of the mentally ill. They assert that the focus should be on expanding voluntary treatment options rather than forcible removals. Nonetheless, Adams is pressing forward with the effort, which he believes is necessary to address the visible mental health crisis in public spaces. The success or failure of this initiative could have significant implications for the mayor's political future.