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.

Speaker Johnson Backs Israel

Prominent figures are raising concerns about Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s solid endorsement of Israel’s extremist government. Johnson’s backing of aggressive Israeli military policies is being seen as endangering American forces. The soldiers, often caught in the crossfire, gambol with their lives due to the perceived U.S. alignment with Israel’s assertive activities.

Humanitarian Sites under Siege

Alarmingly, distinct humanitarian aid sites have been bombarded by the Israeli military. Sadly, these strikes commonly result in the loss of aid workers, a blatant violation of international law. This brazen disregard for civilian efforts mainly funded by America is nursing a brewing humanitarian catastrophe. The snowballing instability is heightening regional extremism.

Netanyahu’s Hardline Tactics Questioned

U.S. support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline government is drawing major criticism. Critics argue that the administration’s consistent use of unproportionate military power, which resulted in civilian devastation, undermines American values. The martyring of innocent people, including women and children, cannot be overlooked.

Triggering Divide and Concern

Speaker Johnson inviting Netanyahu to address Congress comes across as a compounding concern. Critics assert that this move is further sowing division among Americans and dismisses the struggles of non-Hamas civilians hurt by the conflict. This narrative is impacting America’s prestige as a champion of human rights and justice.

Israel’s Protective Stance

Counter viewpoint articulates that Israel is justified in its defensive measures against Hamas’ threats. Critics argue that there’s a dire need for a permanent and enforceable guarantee from the world ensuring Hamas’ incapability of posing any future hazards to Israel.

Gaza-Ukraine Pointers

Amidst analyses, a comparison is drawn between Gaza and Ukraine. Ukraine is contemplating its options while Gaza is charting its path by offering a ceasefire and hostage exchange. Observers ponder the potential outcomes of these proposals.

Expanding Wars and Risks

The Middle East war, initiated last October, is perilously advancing towards a broader conflict. There are apprehensions of U.S. involvement leading to retaliatory attacks on American land by Hamas-aligned terrorists.

Biden’s Presidential Debates

In the political arena, rumors claim Jill Biden needs to escort President Biden during presidential debates to prevent him from wandering offstage. This revelation puts the President’s debate arrangements under scrutiny.

Public Discontent with Trump

Souring faith among Americans regarding former President Trump continues. There are voices chastising him for his failure as a national leader during his four-year term and for overseeing legal penalties that resulted in felony charges.

UNICEF Struggles with Trust

Meanwhile, foreign aid organization UNICEF is facing a trust issue for sending donation requests contrary to their initial promises.

Governor Hochul’s Mask Ban

Lastly, New York Governor Hochul’s proposal to ban masks on subways is triggering a negative response. Critics argue that such a ban could spark confrontations and discomfort among citizens, especially amidst the ongoing COVID cases.

The root of several debates, Johnson’s support towards Netanyahu’s government continues to divide public opinion, raising questions about the long-term implications for American forces, civilians, and international relations.

The Opportunity for NYC

New York City is at the crossroads of a significant step. As one of the world’s bustling metropolises, public transportation plays a massive role in this city’s life. For everybody, especially those in the working class and our outer-borough friends, affordable and reliable subway and bus services are crucial.

Fair Fares, a Benefit for All

Launched in 2019, the Fair Fares program is a beacon of hope. Over 325,000 New Yorkers already use it, helping them save money on their daily living costs by offering discounted fares. But with a looming deadline for the city’s final budget for the forthcoming fiscal year, there’s a call to expand the Fair Fares program to reach even more New Yorkers.

Presently, Fair Fares caters to residents earning up to 120% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Unfortunately, this means that individuals making $18,072 annually or four-member families earning $37,400 a year are the only ones qualifying. A significant chunk of New York’s working class, who already face financial strains, may not be able to benefit from this essential program due to these limits.

The Need for Expansion

The expansion of Fair Fares to those living at 200% of the FPL is at the forefront of current city budget discussions. The broader eligibility scale would bring relief to 650,000 new individuals, including numerous residents in Queens and the Bronx.

The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) recently published a report exploring these changes’ potential impact. They found that neighborhoods such as Brooklyn’s Brownsville and Sunset Park, Queens’ Elmhurst, Flushing, and Jackson Heights, and the Bronx’s Highbridge and Morrisania would benefit the most from the expansion.

Even places like Southeast Queens, famously known as subway deserts, could benefit immensely if Fair Fares were extended to LIRR and Metro-North. Truly, no corner of the city would be left untouched; the program could increase the eligible population by at least 10% in every City Council district according to the PCAC report.

Reinforcing Support

The City Council is championing the cause, with Speaker Adrienne Adams leading the way. The Preliminary Budget Response urges expanded eligibility to 200% of the FPL and an additional $54.2 million in baseline funding for Fair Fares.

Now, the ball is in Mayor Adam’s court to include this critical investment in the final city budget. It’s an essential step in supporting New Yorkers who work hard and deserve our assistance.

Ensuring Access to All

Increasing awareness of Fair Fares is of prime importance, too. Only one-third of eligible riders have signed up for the program to date. Efforts to boost awareness are underway, with MTA and city agencies hosting information sessions and ad campaigns. Last year, a law even mandated the Department of Social Services to inform ticketed fare evaders about discounted fare programs.

Yet, the participation rate remains disheartening. An increased commitment is necessary to improve access to Fair Fares. Focusing on this goal is imperative for all of us.

Urgency for Action

Our city’s lifeblood is public transit. Fair, accessible, and affordable transportation is the route to greater economic mobility and opportunities. By extending Fair Fares, we can make meaningful headway towards transportation equality and tackling our escalating living costs.

Leaving out this expansion in the city budget is more than just a missed opportunity; it signifies another year of hardship for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. It’s high time we did right by our working-class and outer-borough residents. Let’s make the journey of fairness a reality for all.