Mayor Mamdani appoints new commissioner for Office of Community Safety
Dr. Ayesha Delaney-Brumsey will serve as the commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Community Safety.
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Mayor Mamdani's inaugural Office of Community Safety now has a commissioner.
The mayor appointed Dr. Ayesha Delaney-Brumsey to serve as the commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Community Safety, reporting directly to the Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, Renita Francois who was appointed in March.
Delaney-Brumsey has an in-depth background working in mental health, including experience in a behavioral health role at the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice during the de Balsio era.
In her current role, she serves as a Senior Advisor and Director of Community-Based Services in the Office of Behavioral Health at New York City Health + Hospitals. Previously, she served as the Chief Strategic Growth Officer at Fountain House, a non-profit organization with a focus on improving health and well-being for people with serious mental illnesses.
“Real public safety comes from investing in people and building a government that meets New Yorkers’ needs. With the Office of Community Safety, we are developing a coordinated, citywide strategy that ensures every situation gets the right response—not a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Mayor Mamdani in a statement.
Francios says as commissioner, Delaney-Brumsey will aid in how the city responds in situations to deliver a more holistic and effective approach to safety.
“The Office of Community Safety brings together work that has too often been fragmented and aligns it into a single, effective strategy rooted in prevention, care and coordination,” said Renita Francois, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety.
The department will operate with a starting budget of $260 million, down from what Mamdani campaigned on of a $1.1 billion budget. The office will oversee the crisis response programs including B-HEARD.
"Keeping New Yorkers safe requires a coordinated approach across city government,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “That includes making sure people have access to the services and support they need, while allowing our officers to stay focused on the work they are trained to do. I look forward to working with Commissioner Delany-Brumsey to strengthen that coordination and deliver the right response in every situation.”
The office will also be focused on developing citywide community safety strategies and coordinate with the Office of Crime Victim Services, Office to Prevent Gun Violence, Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes and Office of Community Mental Health.
