TODAY: New Reporting on NYPD, Handcuffs and Metal Detectors in Schools to be Announced by Student Safety Coalition

In anticipation of a vote by the New York City Council on Wednesday, the Student Safety Coalition, along with Council Members Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Corey Johnson and Vanessa Gibson, will hold a press conference at noon today, Sept. 29 to announce a set of sweeping reforms to the Student Safety Act that will result in increased data reporting on the use of metal detectors, handcuffs and restraints in city schools.

Aggressive school discipline practices put in place during the Bloomberg Administration have had a devastating impact on New York City’s most vulnerable children, with unprecedented increases in suspensions, arrests and summonses. In New York City, there are more police personnel in public schools than there are on the streets of almost every major city in the United States.

The City Council is anticipated to pass amendments to the Student Safety Act on Wednesday that will require additional data reporting by both the NYPD and the Department of Education on school discipline practices including all interactions between NYPD personnel and students.

What: Announcement of data reporting amendments to the Student Safety Act

When: Noon on Tuesday, Sept. 29

Where: Steps of City Hall

Speakers:
Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland
Council Member Vanessa Gibson
Council Member Corey Johnson
Sally Lee, Founding Executive Director, Teachers Unite
Donna Lieberman, Executive Director, New York Civil Liberties Union
Zaire Harley, Youth Leader with Make The Road
Zion Harley, Youth Leader with Make The Road

The Student Safety Coalition includes Advocates for Children of New York, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, Brooklyn Defender Services, DRUM – Desis Rising Up and Moving, Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC-NY), Center for Community Alternatives, Children’s Defense Fund – New York, Legal Aid Society, Make the Road New York, NAACP Legal and Educational Defense Fund, National Economic and Social Rights Initiative, New York Civil Liberties Union, NYS Permanent Judicial, Commission on Justice for Children, Teachers Unite, Urban Youth Collaborative and YA-YA Network.