Graduation not Incarceration!

For ten years, the NYPD has had free reign over New York schools.

Over 5,200 police personnel patrol the halls and classrooms of New York City-- more than on the streets of Washington D.C., Detroit, or Boston. Today, kids are suspended, expelled, and even arrested for minor violations of school rules--rules that a few years ago would have been enforced through detention or a visit to the principal’s office.

The Student Safety Act is the first step to containing the overpolicing of our schools. It gives the City Council valuable information on police activities in schools. And it allows students, parents, teachers and principals to submit complaints about School Safety Agents to the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Join the Student Safety Coalition in supporting the Student Safety Act!

The Student Safety Act was introduced by Council Member Robert Jackson and has 26 co-sponsors, yet it has been pending for months. We’ve seen how quickly the City Council can move to schedule a hearing and vote on term limits. It’s time to stand up for students!

If you live in New York City, please send a free fax today to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the chairs of the Education and Public Safety Committees and other City Council leaders to demand they schedule a hearing now!

Together we can put an end to this crisis in our schools.

Tell me more

Talking Points

The Student Safety Act

-Requires the Department of Education to report to the City Council on the numbers of suspensions, expulsions, arrests and student-police altercations in schools. The City Council can then track and monitor whether discipline is being enforced equally for all students.

-Provides lawmakers and the public vital access to raw data on school disciplinary actions.

-Increases transparency at the NYPD School Safety Division and the Department of Education.

-Expands the jurisdiction of the Civilian Complaint Review Board to include School Safety Agents.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

As a New York City resident, I write to ask you to support the Student Safety Act, Intro. 816. I also ask that you actively work to schedule an immediate hearing on this important legislation.

Last month, I watched as the City Council scheduled hearings on the mayor's term limit bill in a matter of days while the safety, security and future of our students were left on the backburner. The Student Safety Act--co-sponsored by 26 City Council Members--must not be allowed to languish any longer in the Education and Public Safety committees. We need a hearing immediately.

I support the Student Safety Act because I am concerned about the Department of Education's increased reliance on the police department, including more than 5,000 School Safety Agents, to enforce discipline in our schools. I believe students are entitled to attend schools that are not only secure, but also provide a positive and respectful learning environment.

While the majority of School Safety Agents act in a professional manner, an excessive police presence in the schools and the use of zero tolerance police tactics can contribute to a hostile school environment that undermines the right to an education.

(Edit Letter Below)

Currently, the Department of Education does not make information on student discipline accessible to the public or to New York City lawmakers. And the process for submitting complaints about School Safety Agents' behavior can be intimidating and inaccessible.

The Student Safety Act will bring more accountability and transparency to the school safety system. First, the act will create mechanisms to hold School Safety Agents accountable for their behavior by expanding the jurisdiction of the Civilian Complaint Review Board to accept complaints against School Safety Agents. Second, the Student Safety Act will require quarterly reporting by the Department of Education and police department on school safety matters. There is a vital need in New York City for raw data on school disciplinary practices. The Student Safety Act will provide the public with valuable access to data on all types of suspensions, expulsions and police-student interactions.

New York City schoolchildren can't wait any longer for accountability in the school system. Stand up for students. Please support an immediate hearing on the Student Safety Act today.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Take Action on this Issue

Send this message to:

Council Member Joseph Addabbo
Council Member Melinda Katz
Council Member Peter Vallone Jr.
Council Member Robert Jackson
Council Member Vincent Gentile
Speaker Christine Quinn

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