City Councilman David G. Greenfield is ​sending a timely reminder to local yeshivas​. They​ have less​​ than two weeks to apply for free security guards from the City based on Greenfield’s 2016 New York City law

“This is a program with the potential to save lives,” Greenfield said. “We want to make sure that as many schools take advantage of it as possible. That way, we will keep as many children safe as possible.”

Although the program is only one year old, 64 yeshivas have already taken advantage of its no-strings-attached offer of free security guards for schools with over 300 students. Schools with more students can qualify for additional free guards.

“We had to fight every day for years to get the City Council to pass and Mayor to sign this legislation,” Greenfield said. “Unfortunately, while most schools have taken advantage of my law, many have not. We urge all schools to take advantage of a free government resource that will protect all children.”

It’s impossible to tell how many threats to student safety have been avoided thanks to the presence of the free security guards, but they’ve certainly proven useful at schools across New York. For instance, a guard at Campus Chomesh Beth Rivkah Elementary School in Crown Heights successfully deterred an armed man in January.

The May 15th deadline is only for new schools who have not yet taken advantage of the program. Already enrolled schools do not have to submit an application, though they will have to send in a usage form to help the City determine how many guards it will send them.

“If you don’t know if your child’s yeshiva or day school has free security guards, just ask them,” Greenfield said. “It’s incumbent on all of us to keep every child safe.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)