Mayor Adams introduced Friday he has named a brand new head of Metropolis Corridor’s hate crimes prevention workplace, greater than eight months after firing his predecessor in a transfer that touched off a declare of discrimination.
Adams’ appointment of Vijah Ramjattan, a psychological well being knowledgeable and religion chief, to develop into his new hate crimes prevention govt director was initially talked about in an “achievements in 2024” press launch posted on the Mayor’s Workplace of Felony Justice web site Dec. 20. On Friday morning, Adams formally introduced the decide in an announcement saying Ramjattan’s various resume makes him good for the job.
“Vijah’s decade worth experience in community engagement, advocacy in marginalized communities, and mental health counseling makes him uniquely qualified to hit the ground running and combat hate crimes,” Adams mentioned.
Ramjattan replaces Naveed Hassan, who was fired April 18.
Hassan Naveed at Metropolis Corridor in 2023. (Ed Reed / NYC Mayor’s Workplace)
Hassan didn’t instantly return a request for remark Friday on Ramjattan’s appointment.
Ramjattan, who’s Hindu and helps run a number of interfaith teams, most not too long ago labored as a scientific analysis administrator for the state’s Psychiatric Institute-Analysis Basis for Psychological Hygiene.
Beforehand, he labored for the Division of Correction as a grievance coordinator on Rikers Island. From his Rikers experiences, Ramjattan grew to become a outstanding advocate for shuttering the beleaguered jail and was among the many activists who helped push the Metropolis Council to go a plan in 2019 requiring the island lockup be completely closed by 2027.
“I saw first-hand what happens there … We are pro-rehab and against a punitive system to correct unlawfulness. We advocate for the closing of Rikers,” Ramjattan was quoted as saying in an Oct. 17, 2019 Council press launch in regards to the Shut Rikers plan.
Mayor Adams at Metropolis Corridor on Dec. 31, 2024. (Barry Williams/ New York Day by day Information)
Adams has not too long ago voiced scepticism in regards to the Shut Rikers plan, saying the borough-based jails meant to interchange the island jails aren’t ample for the present inmate inhabitants. Adams’ workplace didn’t remark Friday on Ramjattan’s previous remarks about Rikers.
Along with Rajmattan, Adams named Eric Ware, an ex-official within the Staten Island district lawyer’s workplace, as Ramjattan’s deputy.
Naveed’s deputy resigned from the hate crimes prevention workplace shortly after he left.
On the time of their departures, hate crimes have been spiking within the metropolis amid fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Charges have since ticked up additional, NYPD information exhibits, although Adams’ workplace famous Friday they’re decrease when in comparison with the identical time final 12 months.
Initially Revealed: January 3, 2025 at 11:57 AM EST
