Ari Kagan has called on the City Council to pass Introduction 1063, sponsored by Councilman David G. Greenfield (D, Borough Park), that would require the New York City Police Department assign school safety agents to public and nonpublic schools upon the request of such schools. The bill was introduced at last week’s Stated Meeting of the City Council and currently has seven co-sponsors in addition to Councilman Greenfield.

“All parents, regardless of where they choose for their children, have a right to expect that their children will be in a safe learning environment,” said Kagan. “Recent tragedies that have occurred across the country, and here in the Tri-State area, are every parent’s worst nightmare, and highlighted that sometimes horrific events occur in the places you least expect it. Most parochial schools, including many of the yeshivas in my district and all over New York City, cannot afford school safety officers. The city needs to be doing more to help these institutions. I’m calling on the City Council to act swiftly, and pass Councilman Greenfield’s common sense legislation.”

Every public school in New York City has at least one school safety agent assigned to it through the NYPD’s Community Affairs Unit. Currently there are over 5000 School Safety Agents, and 169 uniformed police officers assigned to schools throughout the City. Councilman Greenfield’s proposal has been referred to the Public Safety Committee for hearings.

(Press Release / YWN Desk – NYC)