New York – Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Member David G. Greenfield today announced that the New York City Council will pass legislation to provide non-public schools with security guards upon request.

Introduction 65-A, sponsored by Council Member David Greenfield and to be voted on in early December, will provide at least one security guard to non-public schools with 300 or more students. Larger schools will receive additional guards. The guards must be registered and trained pursuant to state law and they must be referred by a state licensed security guard agency. The law will also require that the guards are paid the prevailing wage. The law will cap spending on the program at $19.8 million in the first year and allow for future increases as needed based on the growth of the program and increases in the prevailing wage.

“This first -of- its kind program in New York City is going to help keep children in private schools safe,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The New York City Council is proud to lead on this landmark public safety measure and we look forward to its implementation.”

“Nothing is more important than our children’s safety,” said Council Member David Greenfield. “This legislation recognizes that all children, regardless of where they go to school, deserve to learn in a safe environment. I am especially grateful to Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her support and guidance over the last 21 months as we worked towards passage of this vital legislation. I thank Mayor de Blasio for recognizing the importance of security for all school-children and for taking a bold step in protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Finally, I am especially grateful to my 44 colleagues who have stood with me in support of children’s safety. This would not have happened without them and the unwavering support of students, parents, school administrators, labor organizations and leaders from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths who strongly advocated for this protection.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)