December 9, 2024

Safe Horizon is deeply disappointed and discouraged with today’s acquittal of Daniel Penny on the charge of criminally negligent homicide in the 2023 death of Jordan Neely on the New York City subway. This acquittal emboldens violent vigilantism at the risk of vulnerable New Yorkers in need of services and support, and cannot represent who we are as a city.

Jordan Neely, like too many of our fellow New Yorkers, needed mental health support, safe housing, and wraparound services to have a chance at a more stable life. Neely’s death could and should have been prevented with adequate support that centered his humanity, and his right to safety.

We urge our Governor, our Mayor, and state and city lawmakers to invest in proven solutions such as supportive housing and access to free 24-hour mental health care, including additional psychiatric beds.