NYCLU Commends End of Cell Phone Ban, Demands More Reforms in Schools

“For nearly a decade, the cell phone ban has imposed enormous burdens on parents and children who need to be able to communicate with each other before students arrive home from school. Cell phones have also been a needless flashpoint of confrontation between children and the police personnel who work in their schools. Particularly in schools with metal detectors where students are overwhelmingly low-income black and Latino youth, a confrontation over a cell phone too often results in a pointless dustup between children and the officers they are supposed to trust and respect. That creates ill will and mistrust. Worse, it too often ends in the kids who need help the most missing school because of a suspension, ticket or even an arrest.

“The de Blasio administration should be commended for taking this important step. New York City now needs to undertake a major reform of school discipline policies and the role of police in the schools. It is time to end the Bloomberg era over-reliance on harsh and exclusionary discipline tactics that too off shipped off our most vulnerable youth to the police precinct instead of the guidance counselor or principal’s office. All New York City children deserve safe, secure and nurturing schools. Adopting common sense and humane discipline policies is a crucial step in making that vision a reality.”