Police said the body of a man estimated to be between 50 and 60 years of age was removed from Van Cortlandt Park in Norwood on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 17.

 

The discovery was made in the vicinity of Mosholu Parkway North and West Gun Hill Road. Norwood News witnessed officials from the City’s Medical Examiner’s Office and the NYPD carrying torches and emerging from a wooded area beside the roadway at around 5.30 p.m. on Saturday.

 

A police spokesperson later told Norwood News regarding the timing of the discovery, “It was a little after 1 p.m., an unidentified adult male was found inside the park, unconscious and unresponsive.”

The spokesperson continued, “EMS pronounced him deceased on the scene. Appeared to be an undomiciled individual with like a small encampment in the park. Looked like he’s been dead for at least a few days. Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.”

 

The spokesperson added that, at this stage, it didn’t look like any criminality was suspected in relation to the death and he said the man appeared to have died from “natural causes.” He also said the death did not appear to have been caused by an overdose, though the precise cause of death is still to be determined.

 

The spokesperson added, “He looked to be in maybe his 50s or 60s.” Asked if the man was found inside an actual tent, the spokesperson said he was found outside [an encampment].

Temperatures in the last week have fluctuated between 34 degrees and 54 degrees during the day, and between 28 degrees and 55 degrees at night-time. Dec. 12 was the coldest night during the week at 28 degrees.

 

As reported, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been criticized by some and praised by others for his administration’s latest approach to addressing the homelessness and mental health crisis in the City, which includes pro-active efforts initiated by the NYPD to remove many experiencing homelessness with untreated mental illnesses from the City’s streets, potentially against their will, in order to get them to hospitals where they can receive treatment.

 

More information on the new initiative can be read here.

Last July, as reported, Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals announced the launch of a new student loan forgiveness program for behavioral health providers, funded by a $1 million contribution from an anonymous donor. The new program is designed to help attract and retain doctors, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians who care for New Yorkers with mental health or substance use needs as the U.S. faces a national mental health professional shortage.

 

Some, including New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, disagree with the mayor’s latest initiative and the forcing of people with mental health issues into hospitals, and has advocated instead for addressing what he believes is the real issue i.e. lack of affordable housing needs and more social services.

 

“Our city’s mental health crisis is longstanding, widespread, and demands increased attention and funding,” Williams said as part of a press release dated Nov. 29. “At the same time, the type of response the city provides is just as critical as its strength, and the city seems stubbornly insistent on using police as main decision makers in mental health emergencies.”

Williams said his office has argued since 2019 that mental health is a public health issue, not a criminal one. “Unfortunately, as we detailed in our new review just days ago, the city has still not taken many of the steps needed to reform our mental health and public safety infrastructure, and in some ways, has gone backward,” he said.

 

The public advocate said he was encouraged that the City is now advancing some of the recommendations of his office, including drop-in centers, safe havens, stabilization beds, and outreach vans and said this progress must be acknowledged. “These tools will make our communities safer, stronger, and healthier, and the city should use this approach as a model for moving forward,” he said.

 

In conclusion, Williams said, “Still, the mayor’s announcement leaves many details unspecified, questions unanswered, and the administration must provide more information on the intentions, implementation, and non-police investment in its plan. A framework that continues to center overreliance on police, diminishes the role of health professionals, and de-prioritizes the role of peer support will not be sustainable or effective in meeting the needs of New Yorkers in need or a city in crisis.”

Code Blue is in effect from 4 p.m. today, Dec. 13th, until 8 a.m. tomorrow, Dec. 14th. Learn more about Code Blue by clicking the link below:
https://t.co/oIcUE1HFb6 pic.twitter.com/r8iHrusG27

— Coalition for the Homeless (@NYHomeless) December 13, 2022

Meanwhile, Norwood News reported on Dec. 13 on the discovery of two dead people at two different subway stations within a 24-hour period since the beginning of the month, one on Dec. 6 at 205th Street in Norwood and one at  East 180th Street in Morris Park on Dec. 7. The cause of death for both is pending a response from the City’s medical examiner.

 

Anyone who may have information regarding any of the referenced incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential.

 

A National Suicide Prevention hotline is available since July 1, 2022. Call 988 for help.

 

NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene provides a confidential mental health and substance use support 24/7 via their NYC Well service. Talk with a professional on (888) 692-9355 or via 888-NYC-Well, text “well” to 65173, or chat on NYC Well – Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7 (cityofnewyork.us).

 

Dial 311 or visit 311 Online to report an individual who is living on the streets, or to find prevention/shelter programs near you. Meanwhile, call the main number (212) 361-8000 to be directed to the appropriate DHS office.