NYPD increases number of youth coordinator officers in NYC schools following string of violence
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The NYPD is stepping up its presence at NYC schools after a string of violent incidents on and near campuses around dismissal time.
The chief of the department ordered all precincts to have six youth coordinator officers in schools.
The program initially called for 350 youth coordinator officers across the five boroughs. As of Thursday, the NYPD will have to bump that count up to 462.
The NYPD is targeting problematic schools and on-duty during dismissal.
Some parents said the move was long overdue.
"The school safety coalition has been asking for the uniform task force, has been asking for neighborhood coordination offices to be stationed outside of some our schools that need them the the most for over a year now," said Maud Maron with New York Safety Coalition.
Maron said all parents in all the boroughs want their kids to be safe -- not only in school but on the way to school and when they are leaving.
The move comes as gunfire erupted Wednesday by a school in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Two students, a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, were shot in the leg near Williamsburg Charter High School. A security guard suffered a graze wound.
There are no arrests in the shooting yet.
Testifying in Albany on Wednesday, Schools Chancellor David Banks said school safety is "the issue that keeps me up at night." He called the repeated shootings and stabbings of students "heartbreaking"
He said more police are not necessarily the answer. He challenged school leadership to do more to protect their students.
The NYPD released the following statement on the initiative:
"Student safety is a priority for the NYPD and we regularly monitor and evaluate crime conditions in and around schools. In response to recent incidents, the NYPD is increasing the number of Youth Coordination Officers (YCOs) citywide. These officers will be assigned to Sergeants who will supervise the YCOs. Additionally, precinct administrative personnel will be utilized to patrol dismissals at designated schools and we will ensure that Transit District School Safety Teams are strategically deployed."
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