October 14. 2014
By Neal Tepel
On Thursday, October 2, 2014, 61 year-old Judith Daniels, a New York City Department of Education parent coordinator from P.S. 81 in Brooklyn and member of DC 37 Local 372, was shot three times. Ms. Daniels was in the process of escorting parents and students to attend a New York City Department of Education Town Hall Meeting held by Chancellor Carmen Farina. The accused shooter, Cush Wright-El also shot two other innocent bystanders. This shooting occurred around 5:30 pm, near the school.
Local 372 President Shaun D. Francois, is calling for additional police presence in the vicinity of our schools. “Violence, near schools, traumatizes students, parents, and school staff. We need more police near schools. This will help deter violence and crime,” he continued.
“This dedicated parent coordinator was merely doing her job, getting parents involved in their children’s education, and she was shot for no reason. Guns should only be in the hands of law enforcement agents,” said President Francois. “In addition, when budget cuts come down, parent coordinators have taken the brunt of these cuts. We need to recognize the hard work they do and the need for their services as a liaison between parents, students, and the community."
President Francois will hold a press conference in front of P.S.81, located at 990 DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn, on Tuesday, October 14th at 4:30 pm to address school safety and the need for more police near schools.
