Shift in School Policies
Two Brooklyn students, decades apart in age, narrated their surprisingly similar experiences in a primarily Black and Latinx school. Despite the different times they lived in, they shared an unfortunate commonality – witnessing their peers being targeted, arrested, and terrorized by school police. They believe it is time that we substitute police officers with mental health care practitioners, social workers, and guidance counselors in schools.
Call to Authorities
These advocates are urging Mayor Adams to revise the city’s school safety budget. They believe awareness needs to be raised regarding the necessity of redirecting funds towards fostering mental health care, restorative justice, and services that genuinely help students flourish.
The Crisis in Focus
The Adams administration has, unfortunately, caused New Yorkers to fear a budget crisis for the past year. Funds for vital school programs, such as community schools and social workers, have now been partially celebrated. But this has only been achieved thanks to the persistent advocacy of students, parents, school staff, and the community.
Underfunded Vital Services
Essential services such as restorative justice, the Mental Health Continuum, and Student Success Centers are still not receiving the deserved full funding. Instead of supporting these critical services, unnecessary millions are invested in “school safety officers” every year.
NYPD’s Role in Schools
New York City is home to the largest school police force in the country, with a whopping $400 million budget for school’s militarization. Despite other agencies grappling with budget cuts, the NYPD enjoyed a hiring spree and funding for new metal detectors, robots, and 400 new assistant school cops.
Imbalance Between Officers and Counselors
Shockingly, the number of NYPD school safety agents exceeds the combined total of counselors, social workers, and restorative justice coordinators. This imbalance severely impact’s the student’s mental health, especially those from Black and Brown communities.
Drawing a Stark Picture of NYC Schools
The narrative of Black and Brown students in New York City schools is one of constant fear and discrimination. They form 66% of New York City’s schools, yet they face almost 90% of all school policing incidents.
Consequences on the Students’ Future
School policing significantly alters a student’s academic future, as being arrested doubles a student’s chance of dropping out. Those who drop out are thrice more likely to engage with the juvenile legal system within a year.
Growing Need for Mental Health Support
In the aftermath of the pandemic, students have demonstrated an ever-growing need for holistic care, both emotional and psychological. However, the majority still face force instead of help in times of crisis.
Case of Handcuffing
Reports indicate that schools have handcuffed and called 911 on students experiencing mental health crises, with Black and Brown students being the majority of the victims. The focus should be on developing comprehensive support, not just funding the bare essentials.
The Success Story of Community Schools
Camilla, a community school attendee, exemplifies the positive impact of a model that integrates wraparound care in its curriculum. This includes restorative justice, which assists students in peacefully resolving conflicts, and free school-based health services for convenient healthcare access.
The Demand for a Shift
The promising advances with minimal funding lead us to imagine the possibilities with full support. It’s time to freeze school cop hirings and redirect the money to these critical student support programs. The advocates will not rest until every student has the essential care and support they deserve.
With joint forces, the city council member Gutiérrez, a high school junior named Vaquero, and the Urban Youth Collaborative are leading this advocacy. They believe every student deserves the right to feel safe and supported, and that change begins in our schools.