The Yonkers Police Department, together with the City of Yonkers and Yonkers Public Schools, has partnered to launch the “Handle With Care” initiative, a trauma-informed program that connects law enforcement and educators to better support children who experience stressful or traumatic events.
Often, Yonkers Police Officers respond to a significant incident where a child is present, such as a domestic incident, mental health crisis, medical emergency, or other situation involving family or community trauma, and these incidents can leave a lasting impact on the children in question. With this new program, the Officers can submit a confidential “Handle With Care” notification to the Yonkers PD Community Affairs Division, which serves as the department’s Handle With Care liaison. YPD Community Affairs then securely forwards the information to the Yonkers Public Schools liaison for follow-up within that student’s school. The alert includes only the child’s name and date of birth. No details regarding the incident or investigation are shared to ensure privacy and maintain the integrity of the investigation. This allows school staff to provide the student with additional care and understanding.
Once notified, designated Yonkers Public Schools staff may quietly observe the student’s well-being and provide support if needed. In the coming days, staff roles may include a check-in with a counselor, temporary assignment flexibility, or simply ensuring that the student feels safe and understood throughout the school day. The process is non-disciplinary, non-invasive, non-punitive, and focused entirely on extending compassion and care.
Since the program’s launch in September of this year, more than a dozen referrals have already been made by Yonkers Police officers to Yonkers Public School staff. Each of these referrals represents a child who may have otherwise struggled silently in the aftermath of a challenging experience but was instead given support.
Mayor Mike Spano stated, “Handle With Care reflects the best of what Yonkers stands for: compassion, collaboration, and care for our children. Thank you to our Yonkers Police Department and our Yonkers Public Schools for working together and helping students feel safe, supported, and understood when they need it most.”
“This program allows our officers to help the children in our community beyond just responding to the incident itself,” said Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza. “Simple communication between our officers and school staff can make a real difference in how a child copes in the days following a traumatic event.”
Superintendent of Schools Anibal Soler, Jr., added, “I am proud to welcome the partnership with the Yonkers Police Department. Commissioner Sapienza’s approach to community policing is deeply aligned with our Yonkers2030 strategic plan, which at its core is to support student well-being. He understands that a child’s emotional health directly influences their ability to thrive during the school day.
“When students experience unexpected life events after school hours, those challenges often follow them into the classroom. Through our collaboration with YPD, we’ve seen meaningful progress, particularly through the work of school liaisons who help us understand the context behind a student’s behavior or emotional state. While specific details remain confidential, this insight allows us to provide timely and appropriate support, ensuring every student feels safe, understood, and ready to learn.”
For more information about the Handle With Care initiative, contact the Yonkers Police Department Community Affairs Division at (914) 377-7293
