Today, Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director David Giffen issued the following statement in response to the verdict of not guilty in the trial of Daniel Penny: “We are extremely disappointed that Daniel Penny will not be held accountable for Jordan Neely’s tragic death. Jordan deserved a life of dignity and respect – and deserved the help that he sought, but could not get. Instead, he became the victim of not only Daniel Penny’s outrageous and unacceptable vigilantism, and of our City’s and State’s failure to provide quality voluntary mental health care and access to permanent supportive housing to people trying to survive on our streets. Jordan was well known to City officials as a high-risk case and had already been in and out of shelters. His death could have been prevented long before he entered that subway car. Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul must cease relying on harmful stereotypes that fuel public fear and anger and instead prioritize a system of care that provides long-term stability for New Yorkers like Jordan Neely. It’s sad and absurd that we actually have to say this, but vigilantism has no place in our city.”
