#Protesters at Carranza’s apartment call for removal of NYPD from schools

Protesters gathered outside of Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza’s Brooklyn apartment Thursday night to demand that the NYPD no longer handle school security

Startled residents of Carranza’s Prospect Lefferts Garden building peered out of their windows as dozens of protesters amplified their position with the aid of a loudspeaker.

A DOE spokeswoman said that Carranza was home at the time and was participating in a virtual funeral for the passing of a family member. It wasn’t clear if he heard the chorus outside.

The home visit came as the Panel for Education Policy voted to recommend that the DOE be tasked with ensuring school safety and classroom order in lieu of the NYPD.

Calls for the transfer have intensified after the killing of George Floyd by cops in Minnesota earlier this month and an ensuing wave of anger towards police departments across the nation.

While schools safety agents — who are 90 percent African-American and Hispanic and 70 percent women — are unarmed, critics assert that their connection to the NYPD fosters a negative atmosphere for city kids.

Some activist groups have demanded that they be replaced en masse with guidance counselors and social workers.

Those pushing for that change have stated that school staffers would retain the option of calling the NYPD in the event of a severe or criminal situation.

Schools safety agents union chief Greg Floyd has staunchly opposed the switch, arguing that classrooms were unsafe and chaotic prior to the NYPD’s takeover of school safety in 1998.

United Federation of Teacher President Michael Mulgrew has signaled his willingness to sever the NYPD from city schools.

“The safety of students and staff is our first priority,” he said in a statement.  “We are in the middle of a pandemic and the Department of Education is trying to figure out how to re-open 1,800 schools in September. If people want a longer-term plan on how to move or re-think school safety, we would love to be part of that work.”