NYC Mayor Appoints Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor for Community Safety

New Office of Community Safety to Take Holistic Approach to Public Safety

Mar. 20, 2026 at 4:56am

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Today, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani appointed Renita Francois as the city's new Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and signed an Executive Order to create the first-ever Mayor's Office of Community Safety. Francois brings over 15 years of experience in criminal justice reform and community-based public safety initiatives. The new Office will take a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of crime and violence, expanding evidence-based prevention programs, and strengthening wraparound services.

Why it matters

The creation of the Office of Community Safety and the appointment of Renita Francois represent a significant shift in New York City's approach to public safety. Rather than relying solely on traditional law enforcement, the new administration is prioritizing a public health model that addresses the underlying social, economic, and mental health factors that contribute to crime and violence. This holistic strategy aims to improve community well-being and safety in a more sustainable way.

The details

The Executive Order establishes the Office of Community Safety, which will be led by a Commissioner reporting directly to Deputy Mayor Francois. The Office will develop citywide community safety strategies and coordinate the work of several existing city offices, including 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. It will also oversee citywide mental health crisis response programs and convene interagency community safety committees.

  • Mayor Mamdani appointed Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor for Community Safety on March 20, 2026.
  • Mayor Mamdani signed the Executive Order to create the Mayor's Office of Community Safety on March 20, 2026.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City who appointed Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and signed the Executive Order to create the Mayor's Office of Community Safety.

Renita Francois

The newly appointed Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, who has over 15 years of experience in criminal justice reform and community-based public safety initiatives.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who celebrated the appointment of Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor for Community Safety.

Dean Fuleihan

The First Deputy Mayor who expressed excitement about Renita Francois joining the administration to lead the work of the Office of Community Safety.

Jessica S. Tisch

The NYPD Commissioner who looks forward to working with Deputy Mayor Francois to ensure New Yorkers get the support they need.

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What they’re saying

“The cornerstone of a dignified life is true community safety - and that safety is built through relentless investment in the services that keep New Yorkers safe. Our administration will not wait for change, we will build it.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“The evidence is clear: addressing what ails our communities, whether that be crumbling physical infrastructure, social disconnection, or lack of access to economic opportunity, is how we best ensure that our communities are safe. Yet, for decades, these communities have been left waiting. That ends today.”

— Renita Francois, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety

“I am proud to celebrate the appointment of Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor of the first-ever Mayor's Office of Community Safety. Throughout her years of dedicated service to the people of New York City, Renita has demonstrated a commitment to identifying solutions that keep our communities safe and supports that help them thrive.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General

“Keeping New Yorkers safe requires more than one approach. It means making sure people have access to the resources and services they need, whether that's career training, an afterschool program, or a police response. I look forward to working with Deputy Mayor Francois to ensure New Yorkers get the supports they need, while our officers remain focused on the work they are trained to do.”

— Jessica S. Tisch, NYPD Commissioner

“Today's announcement is a vital step towards making New York City safer by investing in caring, empirically driven solutions that support strong neighborhoods rather than the failed practice of relying on police to respond to every societal ill. Renita Francois has been at the forefront of the movement for a holistic approach that drives safety, not mass punishment and incarceration.”

— Tiffany Cabán, New York City Council Member

What’s next

The new Office of Community Safety will begin its work immediately, with Deputy Mayor Francois leading the development of citywide community safety strategies and coordinating the efforts of various city agencies and offices.

The takeaway

The creation of the Office of Community Safety and the appointment of Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor represent a significant shift in New York City's approach to public safety, moving away from a solely law enforcement-based model and towards a more holistic, public health-focused strategy that addresses the root causes of crime and violence. This new approach aims to improve community well-being and safety in a more sustainable way.