The 2016-2017 school year may be a distant memory for students lapping up these final weeks of summer, but for city officials, it was the safest year on record.
According to data released Tuesday by Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, there was an 18 percent decrease in major crime from the 2014-2015 school year.
“All students need a safe and supportive learning environment to succeed in the classroom and make a positive impact in the community,” de Blasio said. “The impacts of our investments in school climate and mental health programs are clear: Crime is at an all-time low, and graduation is at an all-time high.”
Additionally, school-related arrests saw an 8 percent drop, and the number of School Safety Division summonses also decreased by 11 percent during 2016-2017.
“This school year set a new record in safety. The work is evident in our schools today is also being realized across this city with significant reductions in crime and violence,” O’Neill said.
The city will also invest $47 million a year to expand resources for school climate and mental health programs, such as restorative practice, de-escalation and crisis intervention training to keep minor incidents in-school and out of the criminal justice system.
“We are increasing training and providing schools with resources to hold students accountable while still getting at the underlying cause of conflicts,” Fariña said.
Our students are capable of great things. When they learn in a safe system, they can lead. And they can achieve their potential. pic.twitter.com/IFqGc7wrGp
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 1, 2017
Educators, students, parents, and the NYPD have come together to make this year the safest school year on record for New York City. pic.twitter.com/bKsdACDccj
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 1, 2017
A great pleasure to hang w/ incredibly bright, young NYers today. #NYPD is proud that as crime ⬇️ citywide, incidents @NYCSchools drop, too. pic.twitter.com/YubhZptXXs
— Commissioner O’Neill (@NYPDONeill) August 1, 2017
