The Road From Virtual to Real - Teamsters Local 237
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Vol. 55, No. 1 Spring 2021
The Road From Virtual to Real
Dear Member,
A little more than one year has
gone by since the first reported
death in New York City caused
by Covid-19. 30,000 more deaths
were to follow to
mark this somber
anniversary. Sadly,
Local 237 active members and
retirees are part of that horrific number of lives lost. They were beloved husbands,
wives, sons and daughters, dear friends and co-workers. They made us smile; at times, they
made us angry; they gave us knowledge; we gave them some. They were a big part of our lives.
Many will look back over the past year and think how much has changed. There is a constant
longing for the “times before”. Some will remember with amazement that it’s been one year since
they actually went inside their offices, or took a subway ride, had a meal at a restaurant with friends or
went to a baseball game. Of course, all without masks and hand sanitizer. Some will have learned very
important lessons, including: You get to attend more meetings using Zoom; ordering on-line solves the exhausting
department store search for hard-to-find items and if you reach out to the people you care about and love — even if just by phone — you still
feel connected, and you wind up doing it more often than you ever did. Of course, for some, there’s also another education, a reiteration of
something you already knew or thought, but pushed to the back of your mind. It’s a lesson you hoped not to revisit: Inequality. During this
pandemic year, not everyone suffered equally. Depending on your skin color and zip code, Covid-19 was not an equal opportunity destroyer
of lives and dreams. It was possible for some to avoid the full wallop of the virus, living a life filled more with caution and inconvenience
than fear and obligations, with resources to blunt the blow. On the other hand, so many essential workers, including Local 237 members,
selflessly reported to work every day — and especially at the start of the pandemic, without adequate safety precautions in place. They
symbolize what is often referred to as the “tale of two cities”, one where they live, the other the City they helped to keep running.
For many of us, it would be difficult to name anything we actually liked about this pandemic year. The negative features are countless and
range from the overwhelming ones — like the loss of loved ones or being sickened by Covid — to the more tolerable yet distressing features, like
re-runs of your favorite TV show, or postponing your plans for a big wedding. Still, some have found silver linings: A Presidential inauguration
celebration without the customary dancing at the big-donor, political-insider galas, instead, a televised tribute to our democracy featuring average
people in every state; or the day you finally felt safe enough to go to the local park and even with a mask on, realized how refreshing the air smells
and how beautiful the park is; or genuinely loving more time, more talk and more home cooking with your immediate family. And the brightest
silver lining: Knowing that there is a vaccination to protect us from this horror — and being vaccinated.
This special edition of Newsline is dedicated to our members — those we lost, and those who continue to serve — and to our future.
Together, we must consider where we go from here. As we find our way, it’s a sure thing that a year’s worth of VIRTUAL business meetings,
VIRTUAL doctor appointments and VIRTUAL birthday celebrations won’t be greatly missed. The real challenge will be getting back to an
“IN-PERSON” life where avoiding human connection is something of the past and a hug or a handshake can once again become spontaneous.
Gregory Floyd
President, Teamsters Local 237,
and Vice President-at Large on the
General Board of the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters
2 NEWSLINE, Spring 2021
Local 237 Member Services
UNION HEADQUARTERS EXECUTIVE OFFICES, 5th Fl.
212-924-2000 212-924-2000
216 West 14th Street Gregory Floyd, President
New York, NY 10011-7296 Ruben Torres,
Vice President
LOCAL 237 DIVISIONS
CITYWIDE, 2nd Fl.
212-924-2000
Donald Arnold,
Secretary-Treasurer
PERSONNEL, 5th Fl.
A message from the President
Donald Arnold, Director
212-924-2000
LAW ENFORCEMENT, 2nd Fl. Donald Arnold, Director and
212-924-2000 Chief Negotiator
Derek Jackson, Director By Gregory Floyd
POLITICAL ACTION &
HOUSING, 2nd Fl. LEGISLATION, 5th Fl. President,Teamsters Local 237
212-924-2000 646-638-8501
Carl Giles, Housing Director Local 237 protects members’
and Vice President-at-Large on the General Board
SPECIAL PROJECTS, 2nd Fl. rights by helping to sponsor of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
212-924-2000 legislation that is important
Debbie Coleman, Esq., Special Projects Director to members, and by opposing
initiatives that would hurt
LONG ISLAND
631-851-9800
100 West Main Street, Babylon,
New York 11702
members.
Phyllis S. Shafran, Coordinator
GRIEVANCES/DISCIPLINARY
Legislation That Only Leaves
Benedict Carenza, Director
Long Island Welfare Fund:
For information on the various
PROBLEMS, 7th Fl.
212-924-2000
For grievances and job related
Room for Disaster
funds call 800-962-1145 problems, first contact your
RETIREE, 8th Fl.
212-807-0555
Provides a variety of pre- and post-
retirement services, including
pension and health insurance
shop steward and/or grievance
representative. If they can’t
resolve the issue, contact your
business agent.
Mal Patterson, Director of
A s public schools are now returning to in-
person learning, the defects of the New York
City Council’s legislation to transfer authority
of School Safety Agents (SSAs) from the NYPD to the
Department of Education, and greatly reduce their
Unbelievably, several Council Members argued
that only social workers and guidance counselors are
needed in schools. Misinformation was reported, such
as the falsehood that SSAs carry weapons (they do
not!), and insulting, degrading, demonizing portrayals
counseling to members. (Pension Grievances and Hearings
counseling by appointment, Thurs- Diana Doss, Esq. safety duties and programs, has become even more of them were made. Council member Helen Rosenthal,
days only). General retirement Grievance Coordinator obvious and troubling. Added to this, there are some for example, said the SSAs were part of a “paramilitary
counseling and retirement plan-
ning series during spring and fall. CIVIL SERVICE BAR ASSN current elected officials--and many candidates vying organization”, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
Julie Kobi & Susan Milisits, 7th Fl., 212-675-0519 to replace them—proposing the total elimination of testified — without ANY evidence at all — that “SSAs
Co-Directors Saul Fishman, President the safety agents from the schools. In the first week of have committed verbal, physical and sexual abuse.”
Aldona Vaiciunas,
LOCAL 237 DEPARTMENTS Office Administrator and return to in-person learning, that saw fewer than 20% I questioned the Council Members about how
(Citywide and Housing)
Grievance Coordinator of the students returning, 25 weapons were confiscated many of them have actually been inside public schools,
SKILLED TRADES, 2nd Fl. Abbott Gorin, Esq., by SSAs. Clearly, it is time that we get real — and get or have children in public schools, where they would
212-924-2000 Business Representative
Donald Arnold, Director
worried. Leave political theater for TV. We need to see, first-hand, that more than 70% of SSAs are Black
CSBA Welfare Fund
HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2nd Fl. Alicare 866-647-4617 think in practical terms about the safety of 1 million and Latina, many of them mothers in a single-parent
212-924-2000 COMMUNICATIONS, 5th Fl. students, teachers and school personnel when in- household, who work and live in the same community.
Donald Arnold, Director 646-638-8501 person learning returns to normal capacity. Most tellingly were the words of Council Member
Susan McQuade, Coordinator Phyllis S. Shafran, Director As President of Local 237, which represents School Daneek Miller, who said that he had five children go
MEMBERS HEALTH, 2nd Fl. Local 237 Newsline and Safety Agents, I sounded the alarm at a February hear- through the public school system and: “When you talk
212-924-2000 Retiree News & Views, Editor
Website: www.local237.org ing of the New York City Council’s Education Com- to children in my district, in my household, and in
Susan McQuade, Director
smcquade@local237.org EDUCATION AND TRAINING
mittee. I told Committee members about the huge the community, and you talk about school safety
MEMBERSHIP, 3rd Fl. 8th Fl. number of weapons confiscated on Day 1 of the last agents, at the mention of that, there’s a glow.”
212-924-2000 212-807-0550 recorded year. I also read the most recent number of I told the Council Members that their arguments
Provides membership services and Provides a variety of training major crimes in schools (288) and the number of petit against SSAs are nothing more than “a knee-jerk, po-
records, including address changes. and educational advancement
opportunities for members. larcenies (976). I noted that 2,701 weapons were con- litically correct reaction that ultimately harms the very
WELFARE FUND, 3rd Fl. Bertha Aiken, Director fiscated in one year alone, between 2018 and 2019, population they want to protect. It is phony.” I urged
212-924-7220 and cited headline-shattering news including that of them to speak to the parents, hear what they have to
The Fund administers the eligibility,
enrollment, disability, optical and USEFUL NUMBERS an 8-year-old bringing a loaded 380 caliber into a say. We have. And we received letters and other ex-
death benefits directly by the Fund’s FOR PRE-RETIREES
classroom, a vicious attack on a rival by four gang pressions of appreciation that attest to how much SSAs
in-house staff, as well as prescription NYCERS
and dental programs indirectly. members and the fatal stabbing of a student by make a difference in their children’s lives and some-
Mitchell Goldberg, Director (New York City Employees another with a steak knife. The stats don’t lie. They times the lives of others… a positive difference, and
Retirement System)
SOCIAL SERVICES, 3rd Fl. By Mail:
are horrifying. I told parents at that time: “Beware! often a life-saving difference. The stories are many:
212-924-7220 ext.7562 Your children are NOT safe.”
Living and working in New York can 335 Adams St., Suite 2300, Continued on Page 3
be challenging and our members Brooklyn, NY 11201-3751
work extremely hard. Social workers In Person:
also work hard by connecting peo-
ple to much needed assistance and 340 Jay Street, Mezzanine,
resources. With this in mind, Local 237 Brooklyn, NY 11201
has introduced a new Social Serv- Gen’l Information:
ices Department featuring free so-
cial work services that are available to 347-643-3000
all members. The union knows that Outside NYC toll-free:
its members have tough jobs and
that when encountering tough per- 877-6NYCERS
sonal challenges, learning about pos- NYCERS Internet
sible solutions to those challenges
would make things that much easier. www.nyclink.org/html/nycers
Contact us to learn about the many NYC Department of
service we can provide.
Education Retirement
Ayana Ali, Director
System
LEGAL SERVICES, 4th Fl.
212-924-1220
Lawyers advise and represent
65 Court St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-935-5400 We want to hear from you!
members on covered personal
legal problems, including do-
Social Security Send us your photos, stories and ideas.
mestic relations (family court pro- Administration
ceedings, divorce and separation), 800-772-1213 We’re interested in you: On the job,
purchase and sale of a primary res-
idence, wills, adoptions, credit and NY State and Local special accomplishments, family news, etc.
consumer problems, tenant rights Retirement Systems
and bankruptcies. 518-474-7736
Mary Sheridan, Esq., Director
Kenneth Perry, Esq., Deputy Director
Email pshafran@local237.org or call Phyllis Shafran at 646-638-8501
NEWSLINE, Spring 2021 3
Continued from Page 2
Like the grateful Brooklyn mom of a third grader who The school safety agent in my children’s school goes health issues. Besides the love and support from my fam-
was saved from choking by an SSA who performed above and beyond what their job entails. Ms. Valentino ily, I also received loads of love and support from Agent
the Heimlich maneuver, and came to the school to is a safety agent who cares about the students in the David Perez and the rest of the post with a number of
personally thank the agent for saving her little girl’s building and knows each student by name. She even phone calls and texts...This post has definitely become
life. Or the victim of sexual abuse, who, crying hys- knows the parents. I know that, when I drop my chil- an extended family to me. They make me feel loved and
terically, flagged down a van of agents on the way to dren off to school, they are cared for and safe”. And I protected. The school safety agents do an amazing job of
their High School assignment, and begged for help. ask the City Council directly: “What are you trying to making us kids feel loved and well protected.”
As the woman was tended to by an Agent, the perpe- accomplish? Take out the politics and actually look at Local 237 then created an aggressive advertising
trator fled and was chased by the other agents, who these agents who are doing their job.” campaign. Every social media platform and every tra-
apprehended and brought him to the Police Precinct, One parent wrote about her daughter’s involvement ditional media outlet was engaged. What we found
where he was charged. with the Explorer program, mentored by School Safety was that the more people knew about the proposal,
As media reports came out about what the City Agents, a program which faces the chopping block: “My the more they were outraged. I said in my closing
Council and the Mayor proposed to do, letters from daughter has been an explorer at Post 2015 for the last statement at the City Council hearing: “Any time there
parents and other concerned New Yorkers started coming two years. She had a very challenging year her first year is a school shooting, our phones are flooded with fran-
in to Local 237. One mother wrote: “My children go of being an explorer, with many medical issues. Agent tic calls from elected officials, including calls from
to public school and feel safe knowing that there is a David Perez along with others from Post 2015 always some of you. Everyone wants to know: Are our schools
safety officer there to protect them. The school safety supported her, with phone calls and text messages to see really safe? I know the answer. Think about it. Do
officer at PS 13 knows every student's name and every how she was doing. They really become an extended fam- You?” That question hit a responsive chord with many
student looks forward to going to school and seeing ily. Due to the pandemic, her Sweet 16 was cancelled. I people — minus most members of the City Council,
the safety officer, who makes it a better day for the put together a birthday drive-by. Agent David Perez, the Public Advocate Jumanne Williams and the Mayor.
kids. Taking safety officers out of the school would be along with members of his post were thrilled to be there Clearly, there are potentially disastrous conse-
a huge mistake and only leaves room for disaster. I and surprise her on this special day. They also showed quences of the Council’s actions and the Mayor’s
personally would not send my child to public school up with other school safety officers to show their support budget. And consider this: The legislation would take
without a safety officer in the building. School is a bet- to her. The school safety officers have always shown sup- effect in 2022. There will be a new Mayor, two-thirds of
ter and safer place because of the school safety officers.” port to the children and their community. They provide the City Council will be new, and students, who have
Another said: “School Safety Agents are not just a safe environment for the kids and the kids all enjoy the not been to school for full-time, in-person learning, will
workers at a desk, they are part of the school community. program. Elizabeth is beyond honored that she has the return in full force. In view of all these factors, we deter-
School Safety Agents are the first faces the kids see when opportunity to be a part of this amazing program which mined to continue the struggle. The lives of 1 million
they enter the building and many times the last face has taught her so much and where she feels love.” And school children and the livelihoods of 5,038 School Safety
they see as they leave. They are in the building in the Elizabeth chimed in: “Two years ago I decided that I Agents are at stake. They should be considered above
early morning hours and most stay until late into the wanted to be an NYPD explorer and Post 2015 welcomed political pandering and a misguided reaction to the
evening. They deserve to be appreciated, not berated. me with open arms and love. Later that year, I had several realities of the world we live in today.
So many of our members go above and beyond the call of duty,
During this time of national crisis, our members served performing acts of heroism, ingenuity, kindness and generosity that
demonstrate their professionalism and heart. They were willing to go
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty that extra mile, and by so doing, made a difference in someone’s
life. Here are some of the pictures they want to share:
Local 237 members and Donald Arnold, Local 237’s Secretary-Treasurer on the Executive Board (r) unload 45,000 masks provided by New York City
Council Member Justin Brannan.
Local 237
NEWSLINE
216 West 14th St., New York, NY 10011
646-638-8501
Website: www.local237.org
e-mail Newsline: pshafran@local237.org
Local 237 Newsline (USPS 700-000 ISSN 1083-3536) is published by Local 237,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 216 West 14 Street, New York, NY 10011. Retiring DHS Officer John Deweese
Periodical postage paid at New York, NY. Postmaster: Send address changes to
Local 237 Newsline, 216 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011.
Gerard Carr Supervisor of Plasters.
Executive Board
Gregory Floyd Ruben Torres Donald Arnold Jeanette Taveras
President Vice President Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary
Curtis Scott Benedict Carenza, Jr. Catherine Rice
Trustee Trustee Trustee
Phyllis S. Shafran
Editor
Special thanks in the preparation of Newsline to:
Gisela (GiGi) Reyes, Executive Administrative Assistant Agent Gravavito giving out gifts at
Convenant House. Agent Bala also
IF YOU MOVE – Please send your change of address in writing to Membership Odell King, HSKPG Supervisor, participated but is not pictured. Both agents
to insure that you continue receiving your newspaper. taking vaccine at Coney Island gave out cards and calendars to all agents
Metro NY
Labor
Communications
Hospital. they could reach in Manhattan South.
Council
4 NEWSLINE, Spring 2021
So many of our members go above and beyond the call of duty,
During this time of national crisis, our members served performing acts of heroism, ingenuity, kindness and generosity that
demonstrate their professionalism and heart. They were willing to go
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty that extra mile, and by so doing, made a difference in someone’s
life. Here are some of the pictures they want to share:
Cypress Hill Houses; SOC Maurice Brown,
Workplace Violence walkthrough assessment team at Pink Caretaker J Iris Haynes, Caretaker J Asia
Houses - working to ensure our members’ safety: Cephas Copper, Caretaker J Tabitha Blue.
Suber, Vincent Lattimore, Mark Williams (NYCHA), Linden Houses; Exterminator Marguerite Fraser,
Johnnie Mae Robinson (NYCHA), John Williams, Caretaker J Albert Jones, Caretaker Javon Dyer,
Liz McCray (NYCHA), Austin Serrano (NYCHA) Caretaker Tyheem Brown.
Ravenswood Houses Caretaker X Letise
Grady and Mandel Grant.
Curtis Sutherland,
Ruth Cruz, Pink Houses Pink Houses
Ft. Independence Houses Ft. Independence Houses- Dwayne Grady Caretaker X (truck driver),
Assistant Superintendent, SOC (Supervisor of Care- Lonnie Hicks Caretaker J (truck driver
Mr. Julio Figueroa. takers), Mr. Mario Landin. helper) Queensbridge North Houses.
HEROES OF HHC
Pink Houses;
SOC Carmen Maduro, Pink Houses;
Caretaker J Patrick Mclver Nesha Ishmael
March 31, 2021 at Jacobi Hospital HHC had a
recruitment event for Special Officers. Law
HHC Special Officer Recruitment Event, adhering to Enforcement Business Agent Charlie Cotto (r)
social distancing. was in attendance.
Shantel Clemons, Cypress Hill
Caretaker G, Houses,Caretaker I,
PoloGround Houses Susan Daughtry.
Ultrasound Tech,
Felicia Penn
Evelyn Ortiz. Luis Quinones George Wade
Housing Assistant. Chief Site Caretaker, Queens Hospital, Stockworker,
Business Agent,
Melrose Houses. Sack Wern Houses. Officer Gray Mark Birnbaun Stockworker, Mayo
Teamsters Local 237
NEWSLINE, Spring 2021 5
So many of our members go above and beyond the call of duty,
During this time of national crisis, our members served performing acts of heroism, ingenuity, kindness and generosity that
demonstrate their professionalism and heart. They were willing to go
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty that extra mile, and by so doing, made a difference in someone’s
life. Here are some of the pictures they want to share:
BALLAD OF
SSA COAT GIVEAWAY THE HONOR
GUARD UNIT
By SSA John Maldonado
Honor Guard Unit, PBSI
When You Get The Call
And Get Ready for Tomorrow
You Rush to Comfort Families
Of Their Pain and Sorrow
The Family is Suffering
The Department has Lost and M.O.S.
And You Hear Great Stories
Of This Person That Did Their Best
This Agent Worked The Desk
And Even The School Yard
The Family Has Reached Out
Here Comes The Ceremonial Honor Guard
They Come From Near
And Travel From Afar
They Will Come in a Van
Or an R.M.P. Car
No Weather Will Stop Them
No Heat, No Snow Nor Rain
They come For The Families
To Help comfort Their Pain
Loved ones Lift up their Heads
And they will see a Few
But before they Know it
There’s a Sea of Dress Blues
(L-R) back row. Agent Vega, Agent Mills, Agent Pierre, Agent
They come with Rifles and Flags
Milliner. Front row, Agent Osorio, Agent Mohan and Agent Feeley. For the Families That they Serve
And we give that Final Salute
That the M.O.S. Deserves
SSA RETIRES BACK TO CLASS Not all are Cut Out
For They are Not Fit
It takes a Special Someone
To be in the Honor Guard Unit
We Stay with the M.O.S.
And Loved Ones will see
That we are by your side
From church to cemetery
After Prayer and salute
A school safety officer ushers a student in We all fade away
for a temperature check at Sun Yat Sen And chances are the units wearing
Dress Blues the very next day
Middle School 131 in Manhattan.
You may not see
The Honor Guard Cry
TOY GIVEAWAY We hide it very well
And we do our jobs with Pride
We get to the Church early
And all day on our feet
We get home very late
While everyone is asleep
We don’t do it for Glory
We do it for you
We come to comfort Families
In our Beautiful Dress Blues
And God looks down
SSA Brian Carabello retired on 12-22-20 (L-R) Charlie Cotto, From the Throne where He sits
Post 2015 showing love to the people of Job well done
CO Cindy McNeil, SSA Brian Carabello, and wife. Ceremonial Honor Guard Unit.
Stapleton at the toy giveaway.
6 NEWSLINE, Spring 2021
So many of our members go above and beyond the call of duty,
During this time of national crisis, our members served performing acts of heroism, ingenuity, kindness and generosity that
demonstrate their professionalism and heart. They were willing to go
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty that extra mile, and by so doing, made a difference in someone’s
life. Here are some of the pictures they want to share:
STATEN ISLAND PS 57
FOOD GIVEAWAY
PBAI School Safety providing a safe environ-
ment at a community food drive hosted by
actor Tracy Morgan and Rapper/Actor
Method Man.
Park renamed Rev. Dr. Maggie Howard Playground
to honor Rev. Maggie Howard, sister to Staten Island
SSA 3 Harold Wise. She was dedicated to her faith
and community. She worked with several organiza-
tions, including her service to the NYPD Clergy Task
Force and was always striving to be better.
SSA 3 Joseph, SSA Pineda, Tracey Morgan,
SSS Watson, SSA Rosa
SSA Pineda, SSS Watson, Method Man, Agent Shafiro of PBQN Hunters Point Campus
SSA Rosa. wished a Happy Holidays to all. Agent Feliberti & Devalle-Mota from PS 44. Staten
Island Command recognizes our agents this month
and every month for their hard work and dedication
during this pandemic. Thank you for keeping the
school community safe.
Agent Wierzbicky of PBQN PS/IS 78 shares SSA Latoya Miller, from fundraisers to food drives
a photo with the school crossing guard during for the homeless, has proven to be selfless and
this pandemic. It’s the teamwork which makes innovative by coming up with new ideas to make (L-R) SSA3 Elmore, SSA Smit, SSA Shafiro, Law
the dream work. the community a better place. Thank you SSA Miller. Enforcement Director Jackson and SSA Peart.
SCHOOL SAFETY DIVISION, STATEN ISLAND COMMAND – GIVING BACK
School Safety Division Staten Island Command donating food to project hospitality. Thank you, MTF, for picking up and dropping off boxes of food.
NEWSLINE, Spring 2021 7
Many NYC Office Workers Beginning to Return
on May 3rd; DCAS Guidance Provides Road Map
Dental Benefits for Agencies to Prepare for Next Phase
By Mitch Goldberg By Susan McQuade Health and Safety Coordinator
Director of the Welfare Fund
Those employees who have been telecommuting since March of last year will begin to return
Dental benefits are available to you and your eligible to their offices in May. The guidance of no more than 50 percent maximum occupancy, as well
dependents. These benefits are provided by the Fund for as maximum occupancy based on the efficiency of the building’s ventilation system, are key
approved procedures. elements of DCAS’s “Managing the Return to the Office in the Age of COVID-19” document, a
How Does the Plan Work? framework for the agencies to utilize when developing their plans. The document can be found at
If you or an eligible dependent needs dental care, you https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/agencies/guidance-for-city-agencies-on-employee-return-to-office.
can go to one of the participating dentists, or you can go to Please review the plan to acquaint yourself with all aspects of an adequate return plan, and if you
the dentist of your choice. have any questions, please contact your business agent or call Susan McQuade at 347-449-3222.
If you use a participating dentist, most dental expenses The union is asking agencies to provide copies of their written plan to the union for our
are provided at no cost to you, subject to review by the review; we also want to ensure that our members are educated on the elements of the plan before
Administrator. A list of participating dentists is available they return to the office.
on the Healthplex website at www.healthplex.com.
If you use a dentist who is not participating in the plan,
you must pay for the services. You will be reimbursed Vaccines available to all New Yorkers 16 years
according to a benefit schedule for services covered as
determined by the Fund Administrator. of age and over started April 8th — Sign up Now!
Important- Although Healthplex makes every effort By Susan McQuade Health and Safety Coordinator
to keep the list of panel dentists current, dentists join or
withdraw from the panel on a continuous basis. Therefore, The more of us that get vaccinated, the closer we move to better protection for all of us from
it is your responsibility to determine whether your dentist more COVID infections. The three vaccines now in use (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson)
is a participating dentist before each treatment if you wish are approved by the FDA and are considered safe and effective vaccines in preventing serious
to take full advantage of the paid-in-full feature of the Plan. illness and death from the COVID-19 virus.
Whether you use a participating dentist or a dentist of The union is working with the City to begin to assist members in setting up appointments for
your choice, you must do the following before receiving the vaccine. (Note: the vaccine is voluntary, no one is mandated to take it.) We will be providing
dental care: information in the coming weeks on the efforts; in the meantime, you can sign up on the
• Make sure that you and all your eligible dependents are Local 237 website, or by going to the NYC vaccine finder webpage, or you could sign up at a high
properly enrolled at the Fund Office. school (one in each borough) that caters to city employees. The list of sites can be found on our
• If you are not enrolled or if there has been a change, com- union webpage under the story on vaccine eligibility, 3/17.
plete the enrollment form if it is the first claim for you or New York State recently passed a law that requires employers to provide up to four hours of
any family member, or if there are changes of address or leave time for each vaccine you receive (so if it’s a two-dose vaccine, like Pfizer or Moderna, that’s up
dependents; and return it to the Fund Office. to four hours for each shot.) There is also provision for sick time if you experience strong side
• The provider of your choice needs to provide a claim form effects from the vaccine – please see your agency’s COVID leave policy. Finally, the City is offering
which they must submit to Healthplex for processing. three hours of compensatory time for all those who complete the vaccine series – your vaccine card
• Do not sign the claim form until your dentist has com- can be your proof.
pleted the treatment indicated on the form. Vaccines saves lives. If you have questions or concern, speak with your doctor, and seek out
If the dental work is for anything other than orthodon- answers to your questions. And now with all adults eligible, you and your loved ones can all get
tics for dependent children, crowns, bridges, partials, den- vaccinated to protect yourselves and others.
tures or full mouth surgery (periodontal treatment), you
may have the work done without the approval of the Fund.
If you use a non-participating dentist, have the dentist com-
plete a claim form indicating all work done and submit the By Anny Rosario Diaz
completed claim form and all diagnostic x-rays taken by
Assistant District Manager, Social Security in Downtown Manhattan
the dentist to Healthplex. You will receive payment accord-
ing to the schedule of allowances. If you use a non-partici-
pating dentist, you will be reimbursed and must make
arrangements to pay the dentist yourself. If you use a par-
ticipating dentist, the dentist will complete the claim form
Social Security’s Many Online Services
and submit it to the Fund; the dentist will be paid directly. There’s probably been a time in your life when you’ve wondered, “Can I do this online instead of
If the dental work involves orthodontics for dependent visiting a Social Security office?” The answer is more than likely yes, and you can find more information
about our online services at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices. Online, you can apply for retirement and
children, crowns, bridges, partials, dentures or full mouth disability benefits, appeal a decision, and do much more.
surgery (periodontics), you must first get approval from the We’ve organized our Online Services webpage into four popular categories for easy navigation:
Fund. This is true for both participating and non-participating REVIEW YOUR INFORMATION. You can access your secure, personal information and earnings
dentists. You must submit diagnostic x-rays taken by the history to make sure everything is correct.
dentist and a claim form to Healthplex before any work is APPLY FOR BENEFITS. You can apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits without
done. Approval is subject to professional review and will be having to visit a local Social Security office.
handled as quickly as possible. MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT. You can change your direct deposit information and your address, if
For services not covered at all, panel dentists may charge you are receiving benefits, online.
their usual fee. For special or individualized services that FIND HELP AND ANSWERS. You can find answers to your most frequently asked questions, as well
are not covered, you and your dentist should agree on the as links to publications and other informational websites.
fee to be paid before any treatment is rendered. You are re- You can also access personalized information with your my Social Security account. This is a useful
resource even if you are not receiving benefits. You can:
sponsible for any arrangements you agree to with the dentist. • Request a replacement Social Security number or Medicare card • Get personalized retirement benefit
The Fund will not make extra payments for services not estimates • Get estimates for spouse’s benefits • Print proof that you do not receive benefits • Check
covered or to which you have individually agreed. If you your application or appeal status • Read your Social Security Statement.
have any questions regarding this, call the Fund Office. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING BENEFITS, YOU CAN:
Do not make any payment to any panel dentists unless you • Request a replacement Social Security number or Medicare card • Set up or change direct deposit
are sure it is for a non-covered treatment or is in excess of • Print a Social Security 1099 (SSA-1099) form • Opt out of mailed notices for those available online
your plan’s annual maximum benefit. • Print a benefit verification letter • Change your address.
Please let your family and friends know they can do much of their business with us online at www.ssa.gov.
8 NEWSLINE, Spring 2021
THE FIGHT CONTINUES
How It All Began – The National Movement
to Defund the Police and its Impact
on NYC School Safety Agents
IN THE AFTERMATH of the George Floyd death Loaded Smith and Wesson In Backpack”; “16-Year- ers, and spend some time in a public school. What
and several other police-related deaths primarily Old Student Brings Loaded 22-Caliber Gun into John you’ll find is that learning cannot take place if you
among people of color, there was a public outcry to Adams High School” And, how could we ever forget don’t feel safe. All parents throughout our City want
reform police policies and procedures nationwide. the bullying that led to a fatal stabbing of a 15-year- one thing: They need to know that when they drop
In New York State, on June 12, 2020, Governor old student at the school of Urban Assembly for off little Johnny or Janie at the beginning of the school
Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 203, Wildlife Management? This was a tragedy that left day, that they return home the same way they started
directing each local government in the State to create one life lost. And another, ruined. 30 parents imme- the day — safely. And I ask parents: If an active
a plan to reform and reinvent their police force. The diately requested a transfer of their children. And shooter were to enter your child’s school… who is on
Order stipulated that if a plan is not adopted by with only 55% of the students, and 19% of the teach- the scene to protect them?
April 1, 2021, the State Director of the Division of ers saying they felt safe there, the school closed down. Removing School Safety Agents from a child’s
the Budget is authorized to withhold future appro- Over the years, School Safety Agents have been safety net encourages criminal behavior. With no
priated State or federal funding for which New York both hero and victim in countless ways. But to name one watching, it will embolden troublemakers. And
City and other localities would otherwise be eligible. just a few: They led students to safety from a terrorist that could cost lives. Your child’s life. I urge the City
In New York City, the City Council devised a plan attack at Stuyvesant High School in lower Manhat- Council to reconsider the proposed legislation. This
to meet the Governor’s mandate, which, among its tan. They saved a student from a vicious stabbing issue begs us to confront reality and decide what we
many provisos, calls for School Safety Agents (SSA) attack by four rival gang members outside of PS 35. really care about. Parkland. Sandy Hook. They’re not
to no longer come under the authority of the NYPD, It was a School Safety Agent whose quick response some far-away, made up places! Those tragedies could
returning instead to the Department of Education, to an Amber Alert saved a Staten Island youngster easily happen here. And if there’s an active shooter
the agency of jurisdiction before 1998, when the from being kidnapped. School Safety Agents are the at one of our schools and a child gets killed, what to
transition was made to the NYPD in response to mentors of the Explorer Program, for local students do you tell the parents? Do you say, we didn’t want
violence in the schools and corruption in the School who are interested in careers in law enforcement. the school to look like a prison? And what do you
Safety Division, then under the Board of Education. And School Safety Agents are also the driving force do? I know the answer. That’s because, each time
Several Council members and Public Advocate Ju- behind so many community outreach programs, there were school shootings, our phones were flooded
maane Williams went even further: They called for where they give their own time and often their own with frantic calls from elected officials, including calls
SSAs to be totally removed from public schools. money for so many worthy causes, like: Free Back- from some of you. Everyone wants to know: Are our
As required by the Governor’s Executive Order, to-School backpacks filled with notebooks and pen- schools really safe? Are our school children well pro-
the City Council held hearings to enable all stake- cils; Toy for Tots collections at Christmastime; Pro- tected? I know the answer. Think about it. Do you?
holders to weigh-in on the proposal prior to a viding turkey dinners for homeless families, knowing So, save everyone the grief. School Safety Agents
Council vote. Teamsters Local 237 President that 1 in 10 students live in shelters. With breast make a difference. Thank you.”
Gregory Floyd testified to our strong opposition. cancer being highest among Black women, wearing
Here’s what he said to the Education Committee: pink throughout October for Breast Cancer Aware- WHAT LOCAL 237 DID NEXT:
New York City Council Education Committee Hearing ness Month; Providing free Prom gowns and make- President Floyd organized an all-out effort to
February 18, 2021 up advice for High School Seniors; School Safety defeat the plan. He believed that, if parents knew
Agents do these things, and so much more. But School about the City Council’s proposal, they would be
Testimony of Gregory Floyd, President, Teamsters Local 237
Safety Agents have also been the victims of physical outraged….and he was right! A media blitz ensued:
“288. That’s the number of major crimes in public and verbal attacks by both students and parents. Radio ads on WBLS and HOT 97; TV, radio and
schools, ranging from rape to grand larceny for 2019 Some Agents were left with broken arms, broken fin- newspaper interviews; Op/Ed articles; robo calls;
to 2020. 976. That’s the number of other crimes for gers, a torn eye socket and other assorted bruises. mailings; video postings on our Facebook page and
the same period ranging from assault to petit larceny. *My concern here today is two-fold: For the 5,038 Website; and the creation of a new website dedicated
Some could say, WOW! that’s an improvement from School Safety Agents, 70% of whom are women, to the SSA campaign, which resulted in a tremendous
the previous year, in which the numbers were even mostly Black and Latinas, many single-parents from outpouring of support for our SSAs and more than
higher. *I’d say, NO, this is no improvement. It’s just the local community whose livelihood is in jeopardy 20,000 signatures on our protest petition to the Mayor
the result of the Mayor’s “new math” on what consti- AND for the 1million school children whose lives are and Council Members from concerned parents.
tutes a crime in our public schools. in DANGER. I cannot understand the logic! With
And that’s where the problem begins: This Ad- so much chaos in the world…At a time when racism WHERE WE STAND NOW:
ministration has changed the definition of crime in and social injustice have reached a boiling point in The two New York City Council Committees
public schools, so fewer incidents are reported, thereby our own country….At a time when so many of our putting forth the “reimagined” law enforcement
giving the public a false picture of how really dan- government leaders, our healthcare professionals, plan—Public Safety and Education—voted to
gerous many schools are. Parents, beware! Your chil- and even our next door neighbors, have failed us, approve it—and the full City Council followed suit.
dren are not safe. And, they will be even less safe disappointed us, misled us, betrayed us. Why do That plan, however, does not include provisions to
with the City Council’s proposed legislation. This leg- some people think the solution lies in a knee-jerk, remove school safety from the NYPD immediately.
islation is filled with misinformation. For example: politically correct reaction that ultimately harms the The Council did vote to approve the proposal to
School Safety Agents DO NOT carry weapons. very population they want to protect? School Safety limit qualified immunity for NYPD employees and
On just the first day of school in 2018, School Agents are NOT a part of a supposed “pipeline to special patrolmen (which cover SSAs), but as of
Safety Agents confiscated: 9 knives; 4 box cutters; prison”. It’s quite the opposite. They don’t help to now, the other bill remains laid over in commit-
3 razors; broke up a hair-pick stabbing and evacuated create criminals, they help to protect children from tee. The Mayor’s Executive Budget for the next fiscal
two schools that received bomb threats. That was them. They wear a uniform as a beacon; a sign of year made provisions to accept the plan as well.
only Day 1. In fact, between 2018 and 2019, 2,701 authority to let students know who to run to in a Although the result is not 100% the outcome
weapons were confiscated by School Safety Agents. time of need, and for the potential troublemakers, we wanted, the fight is far from over. The year
We have all read the headlines:“8-Year-Old who to fear. Legislation to take School Safety Agents 2022 will bring a new Mayor and a new City
Brings Loaded 380 Caliber Gun Into Classroom at out of public schools is wrong. It is phony. It does not Council (2/3 of the current members are term
PS 91”; “11-Year-Old 5th Grader Brings Loaded do what is needed. I urge all Council Members to limited). And we, at Teamsters Local 237, remain
Semi-Automatic Into PS 40”; “14-Year-Old Has talk to parents…talk to the students, talk to the teach- in place. For us, the fight continues.
NEWSLINE, Spring 2021 9
The Community Speaks Out On my eldest son’s first day of Kindergarten
we walked past a smiling Doris up the step
been the School Safety Agent at my children’s
he gripped my hand tightly as
s to his first floor classroom. Doris has
elementary school for many years.
She knows the names of the kids who pass
her by and has always had a friendly
nity. word for parents--whether they are new to the
s are so im por tan t for ou r schools and our school commu ing or for veterans like myself who have volu
school and looking for the PTA meet-
Our School Safety Agent Ag ent is the coo les t and tou ghest ntee red in the schools for years.
de. Her School Safety
My daughter is in the 2nd gra d ble ss, I fee l saf e and sec ure School Safety Agents are an integral part of
scho ol communities whose work
re of knowing. I can say, Go is often unsung, but whose presence is critic
person I have had the pleasu ent er the sch ool bu ildi ng . al to the safe functioning of NYC
son everyone sees once they schools. This summer, School Safety Age
knowing that she's the first per s to kno w all of the stu den ts' names and nts became a pawn in the heated
sly. She get discussion around budget negotiations that
She takes her job very seriou we are no t permitted to enter any partic- saw “Defund the Police” activists
the ir par ent s/g uar dia ns. Wh en is cam ped out by City Hall demanding their slogan
faces as we ll as top of her gam e and become policy. Politicians look-
us know right away. She is on ing for cover decided to transfer School Safe
ular area of the school, she lets gh ter like me . ty Age nts from the NYPD to the DOE
She is also a mother with a dau so they could “defund” NYPD without actu
highly respected by everyone. or, like me . The y are ally chan ging much. While cynical
Safety Agents are women of col even for NYC standards, it was actually wors
In fact, seventy percent of School apo ns and pu t the ir e--it was enormously disrespectful
rs and our sist ers . The y are civilians. They do not carry we re tim e
to a workforce whose voices on their destiny
were shut out all together.
our mothe ing mo
eve ryd ay pro tec tin g our chi ldren. With our children spend NYC school safety agents are civilians who
do not carry guns. The workforce
lives on the line in the well being of the students. is 90% Black & Hispanic; 70% women who
e, the y hol d a sta ke are often head s of households raising
in schools than at hom gra de son 's school are also very friendly
and their children on their paychecks. They prot
Ag ent s of my 8th ect the child ren inside our schools
The School Safety y are ver y goo d at what they do. I know and by making sure only authorized visitors ente
you can tell the r our scho ols, over see daily safety
alert. When you meet them, care of our children when we
are not around. protocols in over 1700 public schools, and
are prepared for all emergencies--
as we ll. The se age nts tak e d the
respect them safety in and aroun which lower Manhattan knows a lot about.
ncipal in maintaining peace and
Their role in our schools is pri A local PS234 parent told me she was “deeply
indebted” to the safety agents
sch ool bu ildi ng s. ug ht of him atte nd ing hig h at her school and relieved to know they were ther
t school year. The tho e when she heard about the
My son begins high school nex his cla ssm ate s are saf e ala rms nearby terrorist attack in 2017 when a van
driv er ran over pedestrians and then
Agents to ensure he and
school without School Safety apo ns we re sei zed . If the Sch ool Safety Agents engaged in a showdown with police. For lowe
r Man hatt an residents the threat
2,701 we
me. In the 2019 school year, ms , ou r chi ldr en wo uld hav e gotten hurt, of terrorism remains real and its residents,
inclu ding scho ol children, frequently
ate those ite see NYPD Department of Counterterrorism
had not been there to confisc ool s to de- esc ala te situ atio ns and pro- offic ers. It was the School Safety
d them in our sch Agents and teachers at lower Manhattan scho
maybe even fatally hurt. We nee ols that evac uate d students from
that wish them harm. school buildings on 9/11.
tect students from any people sup erv isio n of the NY PD if
ents to remain under the Also lost in the overheated conversation this
We need our School Safety Ag sec uri ty wh en we sen d ou r children back Scho
past summer is the fact the
e a cer tain sen se of safety and ol Safety used to be managed by the DOE
we wa nt to hav --the decision to move School
s. Safety to the NYPD was in response to the
to the sch ool bu ildi ng failu res of the DOE to properly hire,
staff and supervise effective school safety pers
pa ren t onn el. Is anyo ne actually surprised
Saifa Choudhury, Queens that the DOE which fails at its core mission-
-to teach children how to read, write
and do math (citywide less than 50% proficien
cy on Math and English state tests)
was bad at managing school safety?
The NYPD is the right organization to oversee
the School Safety Agents. School
Safety has been better run, more professional,
and schools and students have been
safer while run by the NYPD. The ability to coor
dinate in real time with police when
ren in the scho ol build ings . eme rgen cies occur is important to the safety
for all child of students and staff alike.
School Safety Agents are very much needed . With out them I wouldn’t The hard-to-miss-irony is the activists who
, the scho ol and keep out intru ders yell the loudest about “equity”
They protect the kids ol with out protection. My three and are most inflammatory about the need
d leav ing my kids in the scho to rem ove “cops from schools” do
be in the right of min whic h was an amazing experi- so in the name of Black and Brown students
sum mer yout h poli ce acad emy . They neve r stopped to ask the Black
children attended the taug ht less ons that had a major and Brown moms who wear the Safety Age
rece ived disc iplin e and was nt unif orm and work in the schools
ence for them. They beca me like family my kids really what THEY wanted. It turns out that they wan
in cont act with agen t Gil she t to rem ain as part of the NYPD. For
impact on them. I kept dau ghte r went missing when she some, it is a stepping stone to other posts at
e had cam e a time whe n my the NYP D, with greater opportunities
looked up to her. Ther told me wait 48hrs after those for career mobility. Common sense needs
I repo rted it to the cops and they to prev ail-- we should listen to the
was only 15 years old, t to do I contacted Agent Gil to many women who do the job and do it well
noth ing. Me not know ing wha .
hours passed they did
Gil exact words to me were “Lucy don’t This year my third child will graduate from
see if she was able to help me and Agent day. ” who unlocks the gate at pick up will be ready
our elementary school and Doris
to have your dau ghte r by Mon for the countdown--the school
worry, you are going ghte r eno ugh to give Agent Gil tradition is to countdown from 10 on the last
dau ghte r scho ol knew my dau day and when we get to one Doris
The agents in my ged out with. When Monday opens the gate and a big cheer rises up. NYP
she coul d be and who she han D Scho
information of where ol Safety Agents are part of
ng me, “Lucy, I found Your daughter. “ the fabric of our schools. Let’s not fix what
came I received a call from Agent Gil telli ce is not brok en.
ghter here. This traumatic experien
Without Agent Gil I wouldn’t of had my dau
Maud Maron, Parent
and go beyond for all children. Maud Maron is a mom of four NYC public
showed me that School Safety Agents care and
school students,
r par ent an elected CEC member.
Lucy Rey es, Exp lore
NW KJ
I am not only a concerned educator, but I am also a concerned parent. We need That was the whole reason why SSA went with the NYPD due to the crime and
our school safety agents to ensure that our children are safe. violence in the DOE. It’s not a good move to move SSA to the DOE -- SSA needs
to stay with the NYPD. Look at all the crime and bullying that goes on in these
schools. Children and staff need protection. Look at the world we live in -- crime
CC is not getting any better. The DOE is a joke. It can’t even handle the schools re-
As a student who recently graduated from NYC high school, school safety is garding tests scores and staffing. The system needs to be torn down and rebuilt.
one of the only reasons I felt even safe on campus. I am 110% that SSA needs to stay with the NYPD. Look at the archive and news
about students killing other students and all the weapons and drugs and gangs
that are in these schools.
TMD
As a student, I strongly feel school safety is what keeps me feeling safe and pro-
tected from harm in and outside of the school. For over 12 years that I’ve been VG
going to school, school safety has made it their duty to protect kids at any cost I will not send my child to any public school if this happens. Keep the School
therefore I think if this plan isn’t abandoned then parents will not feel comfort- Safety Agents In NYPD. We don’t need school shootings and violence in our
able with no school safety there to protect their kids. schools. Enough is enough!
10 NEWSLINE, Spring 2021
ble for the security of the whole
The school safety is the person that is responsi
The Community Speaks Out and the safety of the kids. They ensure that
and create a safe and pleasant atmosphere
children are safe inside the school pr
at school. With that being said, I am C
n Agent Gil for 13 years. I met Ag
Brito, mother of three kids and they have know
for my kids. When I was a volunteer
in PS143Q, she has given me the best advice
nts with any questions they had o
at the school I always saw how she helped pare
person who you can come talk to a
the kids needed something. Agent Gil is a
in the Youth Police Academy and
will do anything to help you. She put my kids
high school yearbook is a picture of g through a good path. In school
One of the first things I see when I open my Explorers Academy, so far they have been goin
in the lobby of the school. These officers y loved her, she always greeted e
the School Safety officers standing proudly always in charge of everything and everybod
ning, bid me a farewell every afternoon or and she was close friends with teachers as
well. The school safety should remai
would be the ones to greet me every mor
cases I would sit in to cut my classes. situations that can pop up out of n
evening, and even kick me out of the stair buildings, there are all kinds of dangerous
public schools. It was not without diffi- during an average school day. In some case
s, these situations will involve studen
I’m proud to be a product of New York City
. It’s often hard to focus in class when there ing with one another in between classes.
School safety officers help teachers
culty as the city held so many highs and lows
for me, I knew I was safe in the walls of my dents in class and during out of school activ
ities by monitoring or keeping an
is turmoil outside or you feel unsafe. Lucky
ect me and keep me safe. the safety that schools need. Havin
schools because the agents were there to prot Officers are important because they bring
-like wonder about everything. Every- students and officers can get to kn
Being in elementary school, you have a child safety officers in schools means that both
t everyone you meet, inside and outside es outside of schools. The lives of te
one is nice, all the adults are friends. You gree other, which can help solve the bigger issu
dle school, things shift a bit. There might children are valuable, and they have a voic
e that's very important. This is why
of the school building. After moving up to mid
cafeteria. Teachers may break it up but the that having school safety in schools is imp
ortant and necessary.
be a school fight between a few kids in the
There were countless times when School
students might take it outside after school. Carmen Brito
my own classmates.
Safety Agents had to confiscate weapons from
ctors, the school across the street did.
While my high school did not have metal dete
the school opposite to us would wait around
There were instances when students from
up students. School Safety Agents were very
until my school got out to attack and beat
be stopped. In the 2018 school year, over
attentive. Any suspicious characters would
Safety Agents. Any one of those success sto-
2,000 weapons were confiscated by School
ts not been in our schools.
ries could have been a tragedy had the agen Elizabeth is an explorer at Post 2015 for the last two years. She had a very challe
ts were people of colour. Most of them
A majority, if not all, of my school safety agen her first year of being an explorer with many medical issues. Agent David Perez along w
supported the students. They worked hard
were black or hispanic women and men. They . from Post 2015 always supported her, with phone calls and text messages to see h
, even in my high school of 3,000 students
to learn the names and faces of all students of drill s in
doing. They really become an extended family. Due to the pandemic her Sweet 16 was
s. We had countless amounts
I came of age in the era of school shooting I put together a birthday driveby. Agent David Perez along with members of her post
a few times when the Code Blue, immediate
the event of an emergency. There were even I thrilled to be there had surprised her on this special day. They also showed up with ot
terrifying as situations may have seemed,
danger outside of the school, was real. As .
safety officers to show their support to her. The school safety officers have always show
ective of the students
knew that the School Safety Agents were prot to the children and their community. They provided a safe environment to the kids an
scho ol to support current students in various
In recent years, I have visited my high all enjoyed the program. Elizabeth is beyond honored that she has the opportunity t
by during the day to visit former teachers.
concerts and performances as well as stopping of this amazing program who has taught her so much and where she feels love.
an alumnus, is vigorous. The School Safety
The process to get into the school, even as Christina Eadiccio, parent of Elizabeth Eadiccio
seriously and vet me before permitting
Agents take their job protecting the students
me further on the extent of their protection
me to enter the school. Every visit educates My name is Elizabeth Eadicicco, daughter of Christina Eadicicco and proud mem
of the students. 2015. Two years ago I decided that I wanted to be an NYPD explorer and Post 2015
schools and they MUST stay under the
We must keep School Safety Agents in our me with open arms and love. Later that year, I had several health issues. Besides the lov
protecting our children, and it's time we
purview of the NYPD. They dedicate their lives port from my family, I also received loads of love and support from Agent David Per
protect them. rest of the post with a number of phone calls and texts. In May of 2020 it was my Swe
- College Graduate fortunately, due to the pandemic I was able to have the Sweet 16 I have always dream
Mymoena Davids, High School Student
my mom stepped in and threw me a surprise birthday driveby. This event was led by A
Perez along with his colleagues and the other members of Post 2015. They truly made
special day for me. This post has definitely become an extended family to me. They ma
loved and protected. The school safety agents do an amazing job of making us kids fee
well protected.
Elizabeth Eadiccio, NYPD Explorer
SP AA
School safety is essential to the security of our school and safety of students and staff. Before my time as an educator I was a member of the NYPD School Safety Division
Under the control of the NYPD they have done an outstanding job. We must keep Safety where I developed some strong mentorship bonds with the students I served as well
Agents under the control of the NYPD and I strongly urge the NYC council to view the with their families. School Safety Agents are more than just law enforcement, they
concern of parents and abandon the idea of moving school safety to the DOE. are also members and residents of the very same communities they serve in — unlike
the majority of the department. School Safety Agents have families who attend these
schools and more times than not, had attended the school when they were children.
VS I am appalled at the unjust way School Safety specifically has been targeted, when
Our school safety agents LIVE in our communities and know our daily struggles; the men and women who work in the division are actually from the five boroughs and
they’re one of us, making them family. These agents watch us grow up when we start have real connections to communities they serve more so than any other branch in
at elementary until we go off to college; they know our families and care for us like the department. Respectfully.
we’re one of their own. Why try to change something that isn’t even broken?
TU JC
I'm a concerned parent. By decreasing or lessening the agents on duty you're jeop- My daughter goes to a New York City Public H.S. I feel at ease knowing we have agents
ardizing my child’s safety and the safety of the faculty that assist our children and at the front door making sure our kids are safe. I think taking them.out is a bad idea
learning. So please look at all the weapons that are now being snuck into the schools and the ones that will suffer are OUR KIDS!!! There are kids in gangs and initiating
and being used to hurt others. We need the agents in place all the time so safety is fights with innocent kids. The agents are a deterrent! They don't have weapons but
100% going on. they sure stop a lot of the violence in the schools. DO NOT GET RID OF AGENTS!!!You can also read
