In Wake of Recent Minnesota School Shooting, YPD to Dispatch Coordinated Drills and Patrols at Local Schools and Houses of Worship
In preparation for the start of the new school year this week, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced on Sept. 3 that he is instructing the Yonkers Police Department (YPD) to increase direct patrols and safety drills at local schools and houses of worship. The directive comes in the wake of the recent school/church shooting in Minnesota, killing two children and injuring dozens.
“Our country should never fall numb to these senseless shootings, preying on innocent children and worshipers,” said Mayor Spano. “We must remain vigilant and ensure our children and residents continue to feel safe as they attend school and practice their faith. While our police are always attentive to the potential threats that plague so many communities, our Police Commissioner and his top brass are coordinating a multi-pronged plan to prevent and deter any incidents so our city remains safe and secure.”
Today, the Yonkers Police Department is attending and presenting at the Yonkers Schools Safety Officer Retreat and Training Day. Yonkers Police Commissioner Sapienza is expected to deliver a keynote speech, followed by commanding officer introductions, a Mobile Crisis Response Team presentation, and training by the Gang Unit, Intelligence Unit, Emergency Service Unit, and Training Unit.
In addition to routine Yonkers Police Intel Unit trainings with school security staff, Yonkers Police Department has outlined the following tactics for the start of the 2025-26 school year:
YPD School Safety Drills
- dispatch units to random schools as a “drill” to familiarize Officers with response routes and building layouts.
- “Park & Walk” patrol on the grounds of the school (if closed), and a walk inside if the school is in session, with advance notice to YPS School Safety Director and school administrators
YPD Directed Patrols (routinely practiced at sensitive sites, and will be enhanced due to recent events)
- patrol checks on each Yonkers Public School, private and religious schools and identify sensitive locations (house of worship, etc.) during tours of duty.
- school checks kept during school hours, while houses of worship will be focused on holy days and services
“As a new school year gets underway, the Yonkers Police Department is keeping a closer watch over our community,” said Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza. “The recent tragedy in Minnesota is a reminder that we can never take safety for granted, so we’ve increased our presence around schools, houses of worship, and other sensitive sites. Our partnership in safety with Yonkers Public Schools is a longstanding one, and we thank Mayor Spano for providing us with the resources to implement these measures. Protecting our children, families, and faith communities has always been, and will remain, our highest priority.”
Superintendent of Schools, Aníbal Soler, Jr. commented, “As we prepare to welcome our students back this week, we are mindful of the recent tragedy in Minnesota. Our thoughts are with that community. Here in Yonkers, we remain committed to protecting our most precious assets, our children. I want to commend Mayor Mike Spano for his proactive leadership in prioritizing the safety of all who live and learn in our city. Together, we will continue to ensure Yonkers Public Schools students enter the school year safe, supported, and ready to learn.”
Yonkers Police’s Intelligence Unit continues to review intel and work with federal partners to monitor possible threats that would dictate a larger response from necessary units. Currently, there are no credible threats within the City’s jurisdiction.
