Q&A
Questioning the voluntary nature and targeting of subway surfing presentations in schools
2:11:50
·
104 sec
Council Member Eric Dinowitz questions the limited scope and voluntary nature of the DOE's subway surfing presentations, highlighting concerns about their effectiveness in targeting high-risk areas.
- Dinowitz points out that presentations seem limited to some schools in Brooklyn, while issues exist in other boroughs like Queens
- He notes that the average age of subway surfers (14) suggests many are in middle school, questioning if presentations reach this demographic
- Rampersant acknowledges that not every school has taken advantage of the presentations
- Rampersant offers to provide more detailed information on the number of schools where presentations have occurred
Eric Dinowitz
2:11:50
So okay.
2:11:50
So it sounds like it is just some schools and Brooklyn specifically.
2:11:55
And the reason I'm asking is because while I I love hearing about the connections between agencies, I heard a lot about the 7 line.
2:12:02
And that, for example, is in Queens.
2:12:05
And I heard a lot about the average age being 14, which means, I would guess, half are on average below 14 in middle school.
2:12:14
And so I'm I'm very interested to know what efforts other efforts are being made to ensure that the schools are receiving and providing these presentations in the hotbed areas along the 7 line and, of course, in my district where we have, I think, 9, stations that are elevated above, you know, above ground.
2:12:36
So it sounds like these presentations are voluntary.
2:12:41
It sounds like they're not as targeted as they can be given the great connections between, these agencies.
2:12:46
Is that would you say that's fair assessment?
Mark Rampersant
2:12:48
So I I'd say somewhat fair.
2:12:50
Right?
2:12:50
I see we we we were intentional about, doing the presentations for every superintendent and advising them of the reason for the for the, presentations.
2:13:00
What we did do is we gave the contact information for the presentations to every superintendent so that they would have the opportunity to reach out directly to our partners and offer them an opportunity to come and present for their schools.
2:13:11
Not every school has taken advantage of it.
2:13:13
Right?
2:13:13
But we I can get you a a a more, sound number of schools where the presentations have occurred and the efforts that we are making to ensure that every school is advised of the ability to partake in these presentations.
Eric Dinowitz
2:13:28
Alright.
2:13:28
May chair, if I if I may.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
2:13:32
One final question, please.
Eric Dinowitz
2:13:33
Well, I did, just, I have one final question, but on that topic, I would suggest that as the Department of Education, you can provide more guidance than just be it being voluntary.
