School Safety

The Community Affairs Bureau's School Safety Division manages over 5,000 school safety agents who are principally responsible for maintaining order and safety in New York City public schools. The school safety agents, who are uniformed civilians, have helped achieve a 23 percent decrease in major crime within New York City public schools in the past four years. The School Safety Division collaborates with the Department of Education—and with principals, parents, and students—to provide a safe learning environment that is free from hostility and disruption, where students and faculty can enjoy the learning process together. School Safety works with other agencies and advocacy groups as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's Leadership Team on School Climate. Emphasizing collaboration and shared responsibility, this initiative has significantly reduced the number of student arrests, summonses, and suspensions, even as crime has been declining.

School Safety also maintains the school-based Law Enforcement Explorers Program, which teaches young people about police careers and sponsors hands-on activities that promote personal growth and teamwork. Explorers learn the importance of higher education, self-discipline, and a healthy respect for authority, while actively participating in community service projects and having lots of fun.