Council Pushes NYPD Protection For Private Schools

New York, NY —

The terrorist attack in Mumbai is prompting 17 City Council members to call for New York Police Department protection of private schools. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

REPORTER: Currently the NYPD has almost 5,000 safety officers deployed in the City's public schools. Brooklyn City Councilman Simcha Felder says the current economic crisis puts hiring private guards beyond the reach of financially strapped private schools, but he says they're vulnerable and deserve protection.

FELDER: This City and others should be providing at least the most basic forms of security for non-public schools, whether they are Catholic, Jewish or Muslim or another.

REPORTER: Under Felder's bill, private schools would have to request security support through the Department of Education. Hundreds of private schools would be eligible. A council spokesperson says it's unclear how much the initiative would cost. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.