Malliotakis, Tannousis, Colleagues Respond to Adams’ Abrupt Cancellation of School Safety Agent Class
(STATEN ISLAND/BROOKLYN, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Assemblyman Michael Tannousis and local colleagues held a press conference in response to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ abrupt cancellation of a 250-person school safety agent class when the city is already experiencing a shortage of 1,200 school safety officers.
Statements from local officials can be found below, and the letter officials sent to Mayor Adams regarding the cancellation can be found
HERE.
“We need more school safety agents to keep our children safe, not less. New York City is down 1,200 agents, a 25% cut from pre-COVID levels. We need Mayor Adams to put school children first and stop canceling new hires,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.
“The safety of our children should never be compromised. The cancellation of the 250-person school safety agent class is both unacceptable and irrational. These agents are trained and then deployed to various public schools around New York City for the sole purpose of protecting our children. While the city may be facing unprecedented budget cuts as a result of the migrant crisis, our children’s safety cannot be left vulnerable.
“The increase in crime in our streets, coupled with the recent conflict in the Middle East which has made New Yorkers potential targets of terrorism, has demonstrated the need for increased security in our schools. As a result, we are requesting that the new class of 250 school safety agents be reinstated immediately so these agents can be trained and deployed to protect our children,” said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R,C-Staten Island/Brooklyn).
“School safety agents are critical to the mission of keeping our community’s children safe while they are in public schools. Canceling a class of 250 new agents is unacceptable because the safety of our kids is non negotiable, and it is especially outrageous given the billions the city is forking out due to the migrant crisis. I ask that Administration to reverse course and reinstate this class immediately,” said Councilman David Carr.
“The cancellation of hiring 250 additional School Safety Officers exacerbates an already challenging situation, placing the burden on our children. Dedicated school safety officers are vital protectors during times of distress. Staten Island faces a shortage of assigned School Safety Agents, coinciding with a recent rise in youth violence and tragic incidents, highlighting the urgent need for increased attention and resources. We call for the reinstatement of the 250 canceled school safety officers and a stronger commitment from Mayor Adams and the NYPD to address the existing shortage,” said Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks.
Banner Image: School safety. Image Credit – ArtisticOperations
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was sworn in on January 3, 2021 to represent Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn.
Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 2, 2010, defeating a two-term incumbent. In the Assembly, she served as Minority Whip and the ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees. For five terms, Congresswoman Malliotakis fought to restore ethics in Albany, expand transit service in her district, improve programs for senior citizens, reform education and improve New York’s economic climate by reducing the tax burden on small businesses and residents. A cornerstone of her tenure was helping her community recover and rebuild following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
In addition to advocating for these same issues in Washington, Congresswoman Malliotakis is acutely focused on securing New York’s fair share of federal mass transit funding, which would go towards expanding transportation services and easing traffic congestion, while also championing public safety by supporting our nation’s law enforcement officers.
Congresswoman Malliotakis is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Greece and her mother a Cuban exile of the Castro dictatorship. She is currently the only Republican member representing New York City in Congress, representing a district spanning the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and the strengthening of animal cruelty laws, and in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her chihuahua, Peanut.
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