NEW YORK (Diya TV) — New York state attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy stood at the site of Monday’s Times Square stabbings on Sept. 2 and announced a new public safety plan. She said she would create an Office of Civil Commitment within the state Attorney General’s Office if elected.

Komatireddy said the office would focus on people with severe mental illness who pose a danger to themselves or others. She also said the office would include law enforcement professionals and physicians.

Her proposal comes after a series of violent incidents involving people with known mental health issues and, in some cases, homelessness.

Komatireddy said the proposed office would help identify people who may qualify for involuntary mental health treatment under New York law.

The office would bring police and doctors together. Doctors would assess and certify a person’s mental condition when state law requires such a review.

Komatireddy said the goal would be to act before a dangerous incident occurs. She argued that authorities often know about people who may pose risks but fail to intervene early.

“This is about preventing the next attack,” Komatireddy said. She pointed to Monday’s Times Square stabbing as an example of why she believes the state needs stronger action.

Police said a woman with a documented history of mental illness attacked two strangers Monday afternoon. Authorities said she pulled two knives from a shopping bag and stabbed the victims within about 20 seconds.

Erin Piacenti, 32, a bank executive from Chester, New Jersey, died at a hospital. A 68-year-old man also suffered a stab wound after leaving a subway station with his wife.

Police shot and killed the attacker after she refused repeated orders to drop the knives. Authorities said she threatened officers during the standoff.

The incident has renewed debate over mental health treatment, public safety and the handling of vulnerable people on New York streets.

Komatireddy also referred to several other violent incidents. She said those cases show the need for stronger coordination among police, hospitals and courts.

In May, Ross Falzone, 76, died after Rhamell Burke allegedly shoved him down a Chelsea subway staircase. In March, Richard Williams, 83, died after a man allegedly pushed him onto subway tracks at Lexington Avenue-63rd Street.

Komatireddy also cited the December 2025 attack on NYU student Amelia Lewis. She said the suspect had a history of arrests and mental illness.

She further mentioned the 2024 death of Debrina Kawam, 57, who died after a man allegedly set her on fire aboard an F train.

Komatireddy said New York already has legal tools for civil commitment in certain cases. She argued that state leaders should use those tools more effectively.

She also criticized Attorney General Letitia James, saying the office has not done enough to address public safety concerns. James has served as attorney general since 2019.

Komatireddy said her proposed office would focus on finding people who meet the legal standards for commitment and connecting them with treatment.

The proposal places mental health care and public safety at the center of her campaign. It also comes as New York continues to debate homelessness, subway safety and access to psychiatric care.

Komatireddy said her broader message is simple: Public safety must come first.

“If New York isn’t safe, nothing else matters,” she said.