Péter Ungár: The problem is not that they closed Lipót.

A debate on public safety in Budapest highlights a social crisis stemming from the closure of psychiatric and social institutions without adequate alternatives. Mayor Tamás Soproni points out the rising number of homeless individuals, untreated psychiatric patients, and drug users, contributing to a perceived decline in safety. The article discusses the global shift in homelessness and mental health visibility, emphasizing that the poor are disproportionately affected by deteriorating safety. It critiques the deinstitutionalization efforts over the past decades, which aimed to provide care in smaller, community-based settings, while acknowledging the valid criticisms of past institutional practices. The need for a balanced approach to social policy and public safety is underscored.