FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com MAY 14, 2015 • THE COURIER SUN 11 Queens councilman calls for boost in non-public school safety BY ANGELA MATUA [email protected] @AngelaMatua Private schools deserve better protection, Councilman Rory Lancman, school administrators and students said during a press conference in Fresh Meadows on May 11. Lancman was joined by representatives from Yeshiva Ketana, Al-Mamoor School and St. Nicholas of Tolentine to rally for a bill that would provide NYPD safety offi cers to these and other non-public schools. The bill is supported by 46 of 51 council members, according to a press release. “We live in a dangerous world where terrorists will not hesitate to target even innocent schoolchildren,” Lancman said. “The city must provide all schools with safety offi cers. Nonpublic school students deserve the same safe learning environment that their public school peers enjoy.” The bill was introduced by Councilman David Greenfi eld and would require the city to provide full funding for the NYPD to provide public, private, religious and secular schools with safety agents, if they request them. According to the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), there are more than 5,200 school safety agents protecting New York City schools, Rory Lancman gathered with school administrators to call for an increase in school safety agents in non-public schools. making the School Safety Division one of the largest police forces in the country. “It would be a tremendous benefi t to the safety and well-being of our students to have an NYPD Safety Agent in our school,” Rabbi Binyomin, the Menahel of Yeshiva Ketana of Queens said. School safety agents are unarmed but they are trained by the NYPD and are equipped with police radios to directly communicate with other NYPD offi cers. “The administration, faculty and families of Al-Mamoor School strongly support this bill, which will provide our students with the protection they deserve,” Ismael Khalil, the president of Photo courtesy of Councilman Lancman’s Offi ce Al-Mamoor School said. “We urge the City Council to pass this important legislation that will keep our students safe.” Negotiations are being made for the city budget, and the deadline to fi nalize it is Tuesday, June 30. If funding for the budget is not approved, the City Council can take steps to pass the stand-alone bill. Great rates like ours are always in season. 24-Month CD 1.25%APY* At Flushing Bank, we’re small enough to know you and large enough to provide you with the great rates you’re looking for. Hurry, an offer like this can’t last forever. For more information and to find out about our other great offers, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. $5,000 minimum deposit *New money only. APY effective April 2, 2015. Annual percentage yield assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for a full year at current rate. Minimum deposit balance of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing Flushing Bank account. Premature withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
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