New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and signed an Executive Order creating the first-ever Mayor’s Office of Community Safety.
Francois brings more than 15 years of experience in community safety, criminal justice policy, cross-government coordination, and executive leadership. She previously led major neighborhood safety efforts in New York City and has worked with nonprofit advocacy groups, think tanks, and public safety initiatives nationwide.
The new Office of Community Safety is designed to take a citywide, evidence-based approach to public safety by focusing on the root causes of crime and violence. Its work will include:
- gun violence prevention
- mental health crisis response
- substance abuse treatment
- hate crime prevention
- victim services
- domestic and gender-based violence prevention
- subway safety
The office will also coordinate key city programs, including B-HEARD, and work across multiple agencies to improve crisis response and expand support services for New Yorkers.
This announcement marks a major step in Mayor Mamdani’s broader plan to build a more coordinated and community-focused public safety system in New York City.
Location: City Hall Rotunda, Lower Manhattan
Date: March 19, 2026
Mayor Mamdani Holds Press Conference to Make an Announcement City Hall Rotunda
Lower Manhattan March 19, 2026
Sources: NYC Mayor’s Office , Big New York news
