More police in school OK’D

Schenectady City Council votes to add officers to district sites

The City Council voted overwhelmingly Monday to back an expansion of the number of police officers in the city school district, following weeks of public debate.

Six of the council's seven members voted in favor of the measure, with Councilman Damonni Farley, who works for the district, abstaining.

The council's support was mostly symbolic: Mayor Gary Mccarthy had the power to enter into an agreement with the district.

The plan to assign more police officers to city schools has been contentious in both the school district and city government.

In late March, the school board, by a 4-3 vote, approved a resolution to add four more community engagement officers to the two police officers already working at the high school. The vote triggered debate in the district and a protest by students.

The proposal, first floated by city school district Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. this past winter, has been divisive and has focused on whether armed police bolster school safety or cause more trauma to students of color who already fear them. Students staged a walkout against the plan earlier this spring.

Dozens have also spoken out at forums, with advocates and police contending that an expanded law enforcement presence will provide role models and better student protection.

On Monday, the New York Civil Liberties Union urged the council to table the vote, citing data showing that increased policing often “criminalizes” acts that formerly would have been viewed simply as poor adolescent behavior.