Recognition doesn’t come easily — or often — for the city’s School Safety Agents, the NYPD employees who patrol every public school in the city.
But 47 exceptional agents got a chance to shine Wednesday night at the second annual School Safety Agent Recognition Ceremony at the Tweed Courthouse — home of the city’s Education Department.
They received plaques and certificates along with commendations from city officials.
“School Safety Agents are an integral part of school communities,” said city Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We’re grateful for their partnership with principals and their dedication to ensuring our schools’ are safe havens for students.”
Principals nominated 82 agents for going above and beyond the call of duty by helping students and staffers.
One of the honorees, Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School Safety Agent Errol Powell, was cited for connecting with students in the hallways and playing sports with them in the gymnasium.
Agent Charles Harper conducts bullying workshops for kids and staffers along with helping principals sort out dicey safety issues.
“We get these cases after the fact,” Harper, 38, said. “We tell kids what they can do to prevent bullying. The most important thing is to seek out a responsible adult.”
The Brooklyn resident said making a difference in the lives of children is a daily effort.
“If my message can get through to just one child every day, I’m satisfied,” he said.
The role of school safety agents has been even more important in recent months as the city revamps its disciplinary code to cut down on the use of suspensions to handle conflict resolution.
“School safety agents do an excellent job every day,” said Local 237 President Greg Floyd, who represents school safety agents. “Now the city administration says what we at the Teamsters already know.”
