Jonathan Mena

jonathanmena.nyc@gmail.com

New York, NY - High school students and parents protested on the steps of city hall demanding that the new york city council pass a student safety act which would allow students to file civilian complaints against NYPD School Safety Officers. They also are demanding that data on the amount of arrests and incidents involving Safety Officers be released by the Board of Education and the NYPD.     Students have complained about being abused and being touched inappropriately. Recent Incidents like that of Stephen Cruz, an 11th grader at Robert F. Kennedy High School in Flushing, Queens. Who suffered a laceration on his face when a stall door was kicked in by School Safety Officer Daniel O'Connell. Has created a demand for greater oversight on the NYPD school officers.     In queens a 5 year old who attended Public School 81, was handcuffed and taken to the hospital for throwing a tantrum in class. His father Dennis Rivera is now suing the  NYPD. The students I spoke with said this is just one of many more protests that will occur through out the city until there demands are met.