NYC Expands Security Funding to Protect Private Schools

By Y.M. Lowy

New York City is making big moves to protect children in private and religious schools. A new bill, set to pass the City Council this week, will give hundreds of smaller schools the ability to hire security guards.

Right now, only schools with 300 or more students can apply for city funding to cover security costs. But this bill lowers that requirement to just 150 students, opening the door for nearly 400 additional schools to join the program. In total, around 100,000 more students will benefit from this change.

“This law represents a major step forward in protecting more of our students,” said Sydney Altfield, Executive Director of Teach NYS. “It’s especially critical during a time when faith-based crimes are on the rise.”

Smaller schools often struggle to afford the cost of security guards, even though threats to faith-based institutions are at an all-time high. This expanded funding will lift that financial burden, allowing these schools to focus on what truly matters: their students.

The program’s budget will also jump from $19.8 million to $40 million—more than doubling the resources available to keep students safe.

With overwhelming support from the City Council and the likely backing of Mayor Eric Adams, this initiative is expected to take effect soon.