SPEAK UP program to Empower Students to Keep Schools Safe<\/p>\n
City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn in conjunction with the Department of Education, the New York City Police Department, and PAX, creators of the national violence prevention program, SPEAK UP, announced the launch of an anonymous hotline in New York City public schools, which will encourage students to come forward with knowledge of dangerous activity. This hotline run by PAX and will engage students to take charge and report if they see or know of a violent incident in their school or community. Participating schools will be part of this pilot program that will empower students to improve the safety of their schools and community, as well as provide information that will be used to hone the program for potential expansion. Joining the Speaker Quinn were Police Commissioner Kelly, John Feinblatt, Chief Advisor for to the Mayor for Policy and Strategic Planning, Council Members, PAX Founder Daniel Gross, Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, Jackie Rowe Adams from Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E, Gloria Cruz from Million Moms March and Principal Seth Litt from Public School 217 in the Bronx.<\/p>\n
\u201cSchool should be a safe haven for students,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cToo many of our children fear retaliation if they report a violent incident that is about to happen and unfortunately authorities find out when it\u2019s too late and innocent lives are affected. This program will empower students to take school safety into their own hands and anonymously report imminent acts of violence and recognize it\u2019s not snitching, it\u2019s saving a life. I want to thank my Council colleagues, the NYPD, PAX, DOE, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E and advocates for their unyielding support in keeping our students safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting students involved in reporting guns or other threats to their safety is important. We\u2019ve seen tremendous improvement in school safety over the years. But more efforts are welcome, especially those that succeed in getting students involved. I want to congratulate Speaker Quinn, Chancellor Klein and all those who are involved in the PAX project,\u201d said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly<\/p>\n
\u201cA secure learning environment is the foundation for student success, and this Administration has taken unprecedented steps to ensure that our schools are safe, supportive communities where students can thrive and learn,\u201d said Chancellor Klein. “This new program will build on those achievements by helping students to quickly obtain assistance if they see or are victims of gun violence anywhere in the City. I want to thank Speaker Quinn for her continued leadership in helping to make our schools and our streets safer for New York City’s children.”<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is inspiring to see such a clear commitment by Speaker Quinn and the City of New York in support of our efforts to prevent gun violence in our schools,\u201d said Daniel Gross, founder of PAX. \u201cTheir leadership is matched only by the courage of these students who are demanding safer schools and communities. SPEAK UP NYC will further empower students and help to prevent unnecessary tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n
SPEAK UP NYC features the first-and-only anonymous national hotline for students to report weapon threats, 1-866-SPEAK-UP. Developed in collaboration with leading experts in law enforcement and education, the hotline is supported by a comprehensive youth education and marketing initiative, including powerful public service advertising with tens of millions of dollars in pro-bono support, and extensive collateral materials.<\/p>\n
According to a report from the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Education, in over 80% of school shootings, the attackers tell other students about their plans beforehand. Additional studies show that when weapons are confiscated in schools, 92% of the time the tip comes from another student. <\/p>\n
In only 7 years, the 1-866-SPEAKUP hotline has received over 35,000 calls resulting in the almost certain prevention of hundreds of tragedies. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that in order to learn, New York City\u2019s children need a secure environment,\u201d said John Feinblatt, Chief Advisor to the Mayor for Policy and Strategic Planning. We\u2019ve made tremendous progress in school safety, lowering major crime in schools citywide by more than 43%. The program we\u2019re announcing today will give students a new, safe and anonymous way to keep illegal guns out of our communities, classrooms, and hallways \u2013 so they can focus on learning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a step forward in the urgent task of protecting our city\u2019s children from harm,\u201d Michael Mulgrew, President, United Federation of Teachers (UFT). \u201cIt is a win for the students, parents, teachers, school communities and everyone working to nurture, educate and protect the welfare of kids. I want to thank Speaker Quinn, the City Council and everyone involved in SPEAK UP NYC.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur students need to know they have options when it comes to witnessing or even hearing about criminal acts,\u201d said Public Safety Chair Peter Vallone, Jr. \u201cThis program promotes information-sharing, a necessary tool, in a time when our kids are exposed to dangerous messages, such as \u2018stop snitching.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI applaud Speaker Christine Quinn for her leadership role in effecting this partnership that will serve to protect our children and strengthen our communities,\u201d said Inez Dickens, Assistant Deputy Majority Leader. “This comprehensive partnership comes not a moment too soon. Our children now have a way to report incidence of violence in their schools and their communities without fear of retaliation. I also want to thank Jackie Rowe Adams of Harlem Mother Saves for her diligent advocacy of projects such as this that comprehensively address issues of violence in particular youth on youth violence and gang violence.”<\/p>\n
\u201cHarlem Mothers SAVE would like to commend Speaker Christine Quinn and Daniel Gross of PAX for launching the SPEAK UP Campaign that encourages our youth to speak out against gun violence and illegal weapons,\u201d said Jackie Rowe Adams, Founder of Harlem Mothers SAVE. \u201cThis campaign is directly aligned with our belief that \u201cIt\u2019s not snitching, it\u2019s saving a life!\u201d when incidents are reported. The Speak Up campaign provides another layer of protection and safety so that our young people can report incidents and information to the authorities without fear of retribution. Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. looks forward to the expanding relationship with PAX and we support Speaker Quinn\u2019s leadership in the war against gun violence in our communities.<\/p>\n
Gloria Cruz said, \u201cMillion Mom March NYC\/Bronx Chapter would like to Thank Council Speaker Quinn for her bravery in taking steps forward to educate our youth and implementing the resources to the schools to prevent gun violence in our communities. \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so proud that Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical High School on Staten Island is taking part in the \u2018Speak Up\u2019 program,\u201d said Council Member Debi Rose of Staten Island. \u201cI want to thank Speaker Quinn for her leadership role in nurturing this initiative and working in strong partnership with the Department of Education, NYPD, the Criminal Justice Coordinator, Pax and others. McKee High School\u2019s vision statement is, \u2018We believe in the 4Rs: Relationships, relevance, rigor and results.\u2019 The SPEAK UP program will certainly accentuate and help strengthen McKee\u2019s vision. I applaud Principal Sharon Henry for stepping forward to support this new program. In too many cases, acts of violence occur in schools as a result of gang-related activity, bullying, and peer pressure and unforeseen circumstances. I feel that this program, which has an anonymous hot line that students may call to report anyone suspected of having a gun or planning an assault, will encourage our young people to speak up. The final outcome is students attending classes and learning without fear of violence or retaliation from other students.\u201d<\/p>\n
“As a proud product of the New York City public school system from elementary to graduate school, I truly understand the important role that a safe learning environment plays in ensuring our youths academic success,\u201d said Council Member Jumaane Williams. \u201cUnfortunately, violence and the threat of violence remains a serious obstacle to many of our future leaders. New York City\u2019s students deserve to feel secure in their school buildings and surrounding communities. It is my hope that the implementation of this pilot program will bring us a step closer to this reality. In congruence with our efforts to encourage students to become more vocal, it is imperative that we focus our energies into developing student lead peer mediation programs. This will foster a stronger sense of community and cultivate a self reliant student movement.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAn anonymous hotline operated by a non-profit organization will give students the opportunity to speak to someone who is sensitive to their concerns,\u201d said Councilmember Gale A. Brewer. \u201cWhen the hotline is publicized, and the operators listen carefully and maintain privacy, and students talk positively about the service in hallways and classrooms, violence can be prevented and schools will be safer. Then more learning can take place. Any additional support for students is also a positive step for teachers, administrators and parents.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe volunteered for this program because we want our students to have the tools in the event they hear of or know of potential threats anywhere in the City,\u201d Bronx PS 217 Principal Seth Litt said. \u201cOur school provides a safe, educational environment, and we want our students to feel safe anywhere in the City. This hotline can help them.\u201d<\/p>\n
About PAX<\/p>\n
PAX was founded in 1998 to bring new and effective solutions to the problem of gun violence in America-a public health crisis that claims the lives of 8 children everyday. PAZ has since grown into the largest non-partisan gun violence prevention organization in the nation. More importantly, PAX\u2019s work provides parents, children and others everywhere with simple solutions to make their homes, families, and communities safer-solutions that are literally saving children\u2019s lives everyday. To learn more about PAX please visit: www.paxusa.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SPEAK UP program to Empower Students to Keep Schools Safe<\/p>\n
City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn in conjunction with the Department of Education, the New York City Police Department, and PAX, creators of the national violence prevention program, SPEAK UP, announced the launch of an anonymous hotline in New York City public schools, which will encourage students to come forward with knowledge of dangerous activity.<\/p>\n
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