New York City will fund security guards for Jewish, Catholic and Muslim students in non-public schools.
The bill will provide at least one security guard, at city expense, to religious and private schools with 300 or more students if the school opts in.
The city will spend a maximum of $19.8 million in the first year of the program. The city will provide unarmed private guards, instead of sending in the NYPD, but the guards will have to be paid a union-level prevailing wage, reported the New York Daily News.
"As security is increased in light of recent events and religious communities face especially heightened concerns, it is especially critical that all students are protected regardless of what kind of school they attend,” said Maury Litwack, Director of State Political Affairs for the Orthodox Union.
NYC Mayor de Blasio said: “This will be a targeted and fiscally responsible effort that will bolster security where it’s most appropriate. Additional security guards, who will work closely with the NYPD, will put more eyes and ears on the ground and will improve our ability to keep all New Yorkers safe.”
It is the first time religious and non-public schools in the city will receive taxpayer-funded security, according to Politico.
