Principal’s Arrest Shows Need for School Safety Oversight

The New York Civil Liberties Union today commented on the arrest of East Side Community High School Principal Mark Federmen, who, according to numerous reports, was taken into custody this morning after trying to prevent police from escorting a student out of the school’s front door. Federman had asked police to use the backdoor. Tomorrow, the City Council is scheduled to hold hearings on school safety.

The following can be attributed to NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman.

“Whenever a principal is arrested for trying to protect a student from police personnel, it raises serious questions about whether the presence of school security agents enhances school safety or puts our children at risk. This incident demonstrates the urgent need for oversight of police practices in the city’s schools.”