• Contact Us
  • Login
Subscribe
LittleAfrica News
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
    • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief
  • Newspaper Editions
  • Education
  • Metro
  • Africa
  • Caribbean
  • U.S.
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
    • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief
  • Newspaper Editions
  • Education
  • Metro
  • Africa
  • Caribbean
  • U.S.
No Result
View All Result
LittleAfrica News
No Result
View All Result
Home Metro

NYPD Introduces New Frequency For School Safety Agents to Ensure Quicker Response Times

LittleAfrica Staff Writer by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
September 21, 2022
in Metro
NYPD Introduces New Frequency For School Safety Agents to Ensure Quicker Response Times
142
SHARES
525
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

NYPD Introduces New Frequency For School Safety Agents to Ensure Quicker Response Times

 The NYPD has enacted a new procedure for the 2022-2023 school year that places School Safety Agents on their own frequency channel that is directly linked to 911. Previously, School Safety Agents at schools all over New York City shared a radio frequency with school staffers, educators, and administrators at the schools they were stationed at. 

Under the new protocols, School Safety Agents have been placed on a frequency channel dedicated to the school district with access to law enforcement, cutting down on the number of people with access to the channel and preventing confusion. 

Due to the new frequency protocol, School Safety Agents have been able to report gunshots outside of schools in the past week resulting in an immediate response from the police department. On Wednesday, September 7th, School Safety Agents called in shots fired in the fatal shooting of Unique Smith, 14, across the street from Westinghouse High School.

On Friday, September 9th, School Safety Agents reported gunshots fired after dismissal outside of Lincoln High School. On Monday, September 12th, School Safety Agents reported shots fired outside of South Shore High School in the morning before the school day began. In all three instances, the School Safety Agents, after reporting the incidents, were the first on the scene to provide aid and assistance before the police arrived.

However, this new development has been criticized by principals. They claim the new system leaves them out of the loop, making it difficult to reach School Safety Agents in case of an emergency. 

“I’m envisioning a situation in which we do have a real intruder,” said one principal, who chose to remain anonymous. “The only way I can talk to all of them [School Safety Agents] is calling all of them on their cells, waiting for that all to be connected, and hoping they pick up?”  

Craig DiFolco, a spokesman for the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, said, “While we understand the intention is to improve citywide communications, many principals have shared that the new policy is highly problematic and will prevent clear and timely communication on school-specific matters.” 

“It is critical that school personnel and safety agents communicate and coordinate quickly during situations that pose danger to students and staff, and the policy should be adjusted to ensure that radio communication within school buildings is as efficient and effective as possible,” DiFolco said. 

However, these notions were denied by some School Safety Agents. Quiann Simpkins, a parent and a well-experienced School Safety Agent who works in South Brooklyn, supports the new communication system being used between the NYPD and the School Safety Agents.

In an interview with LittleAfrica News, she said the new mode of communication was effective as it allows the School Safety Agents to directly get in touch with 911 and get the necessary help whether it is the NYPD, the fire department, or the ambulance.

Simpkins expressed that having educators and administrators on the same frequency channel as the School Safety Agents was detrimental, often causing delays and confusion. 

Still on the News…

Simpkins, a founding member of the NYC School Safety Coalition, also noted that the new system was convenient due to the fact that it allows schools in the same area to be notified if there is trouble outside as they will hear about it over the radio.

This allows schools to shelter in and be protected when there is danger. Simpkins indicated that the issues raised by the complainants are invalid. “No, it’s not a valid complaint. Because what they are being excluded from is something that they are not a part of.

They are not a member of the NYPD; they don’t utilize NYPD protocols and procedures. They don’t even understand NYPD protocols and procedure,” Simpkins said. 

Simpkins made the point that principals and educators should not feel as though they are losing control. She highlighted that all parties serving a role at schools should know their role, and be able to play it to the best of their abilities. “It’s a collective collaboration between two different agencies to make sure school buildings are safe,” she said.   

“With this frequency, agents in the field have the ability to request immediate assistance from patrol officers during an emergency,” an NYPD spokesperson said. A seasoned safety agent said: “It’s actually better for [school administrators], better for us, better for the whole entire building safety… because now the response is immediate.”  

 

Related

Previous Post

U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken and South African Minister Naledi Pandor Discuss Further Strengthening of Ties

Next Post

Mayor Adams Calls for the Employment of Migrants

LittleAfrica Staff Writer

LittleAfrica Staff Writer

Related Posts

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 26 — October 2
Metro

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 26 — October 2

by Mymoena Davids
September 25, 2023
213
Governor Hochul Backs Suspension of NYC’s ‘Right to Shelter’ Law as Migrant Numbers Surge
Metro

Governor Hochul Backs Suspension of NYC’s ‘Right to Shelter’ Law as Migrant Numbers Surge

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
September 24, 2023
5k
Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes Op-Ed:  Support CAURD Cannibas
Metro

Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes Op-Ed: Support CAURD Cannibas

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
September 22, 2023
557
New York City’s $12 Billion Cost on Migrant Crisis: Mayor Adams Calls for Aid, Saying “Our Resources are Not Limitless”
Metro

NYC Sets 30-Day Shelter Stay Policy for Single Adult Migrants Amid Surging Numbers

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
September 22, 2023
817
Mayor Eric Adams
Metro

Mayor Adams Warns of Rise in Illicit Trade Due to Migrant Work-Visa Delays

by LittleAfrica News Staff Writer
September 22, 2023
490
Next Post
Mayor Adams Kept in the Dark By NYC Social Service Commissioner Regarding Problems in Homeless Shelters

Mayor Adams Calls for the Employment of Migrants

Translate

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 5  — September 11
Metro

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 5 — September 11

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 5 — September 11

September 4, 2023
LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 12 — September 18
Metro

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 12 — September 18

LittleAfrica News Newspaper: September 12—18 Click here to watch the full interview with Mayor Eric Adams

September 11, 2023
LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 26 — October 2
Metro

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 26 — October 2

LittleAfrica News Newspaper: September 26 — October 2

September 25, 2023

Local, National, and International News for the Diaspora

BOMESI - Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute

Recent Posts

  • LittleAfrica News Newspaper : September 26 — October 2
  • Governor Hochul Backs Suspension of NYC’s ‘Right to Shelter’ Law as Migrant Numbers Surge
  • Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes Op-Ed: Support CAURD Cannibas
  • NYC Sets 30-Day Shelter Stay Policy for Single Adult Migrants Amid Surging Numbers
  • Mayor Adams Warns of Rise in Illicit Trade Due to Migrant Work-Visa Delays

Menu

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
    • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief
  • Newspaper Editions
  • Education
  • Metro
  • Africa
  • Caribbean
  • U.S.

© 2023 LittleAfrica News. A Project of Social Impact Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Letters to the Editor
  • LittleAfrica News Newspaper : March 1 – March 15
  • LittleAfrica News Newspaper Print Edition : February 16 – February 28
  • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
  • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications and Editor-in-Chief
  • Newspaper Digital Editions
  • Pricing
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2023 LittleAfrica News. A Project of Social Impact Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?