Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
5 Students Arrested Each Day In NYC Schools, 90% Are Black Or Latino
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 22, 2012
Modified Feb 22, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 22, 2012
Modified Feb 22, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It isn't just teachers getting arrested in our schools. According to new data released by the NYPD [PDF], an average of five students were arrested every day in the city's school system last fall, and nine more were issued summonses. Things look especially bleak for black students who, despite comprising only 29 percent of the student population made up 60 percent of the arrests (add in Latino students and the number climbs to 90 percent). The news led Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, to again point out that "If the Bloomberg administration is truly serious about helping young men of color succeed, then they must address these disparities and focus more attention on educating children—not arresting them."
This is the second time the NYPD has released this data since the School Safety Act was passed by the City Council in 2010 compelling the department to share its stats. The latest numbers cover the 55 school days between October 1st and December 31st. In that time, police made 279 arrests and issued 532 summonses. About 19 percent of those arrested were between the ages of 11 and 14 (though only three 11-year-olds and two 12-year-olds were arrested citywide). Meanwhile, almost three-quarters of those arrested were male.
The cause of the arrests vary from disorderly conduct to assault. 28 kids were arrested and charged with bringing a weapon to school while 62 were charged with third-degree assault. For a broader look at the same statistics, the NYCLU has prepared this nifty cheat sheet [PDF].
Tagged
crime
DOE
nyclu
nypd
schools
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
Critics say the moratorium harms businesses in neighborhoods without a tradition of street fairs.
By
Carol Chen
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 4:24 p.m. ET
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
The new deck will be used to store buses and supplies while crews tear down and rebuild the Midtown bus terminal. Once the project wraps, the space will be converted into a new park.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
The new deck will be used to store buses and supplies while crews tear down and rebuild the Midtown bus terminal. Once the project wraps, the space will be converted into a new park.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NJ early voting begins Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
By
Mike Hayes
Countdown clocks are coming to an NYC bus stop near you
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .