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Q&A

Lee and Tisch discuss Be Heard outcomes and improvement opportunities

New York City Council · Jun 1, 2026 · starts 1:06:02 · 1 min 17 sec

Lee asks whether Be Heard and 988 have led to more successful diversions. Tisch states NYPD doesn't see outcomes of those calls and notes diversion numbers are tiny compared to overall volume, with significant room for improvement.

Linda Lee

Okay, and then just let me ask it a different way.

Linda Lee

Have you seen that with the addition of Be Heard as well as 988 that there are more successful incidences that are being deferred out that have been successfully?

Jessica Tisch

We don't see the outcomes of those calls.

Jessica Tisch

Right now, the diversion numbers are tiny compared to the overall volume and the overall need.

Jessica Tisch

So there are lots of opportunities to improve, even with

Jessica Tisch

without changing the criteria.

Jessica Tisch

Meaning if the criteria remains emotionally disturbed person, nonviolent, no weapons, there is still a huge amount of room for Be Heard to respond to more calls.

Linda Lee

Yeah.

Linda Lee

Okay, I will pause there and pass it over to Chair Felice.

Linda Lee

Oh, sorry, before I do that, I just want to say we've been joined by Council Members Areola, Hanks, Brooks-Powers, Deputy Speaker Williams, Council Members Dinowitz, Felder, Aviles, Majority Leader Abreu, Council Members Brewer, Ressler, Joseph J.

Linda Lee

Sanchez, and Council Member Mealy.