School Safety Officials To P.S. 229: “We Didn’t Realize How Loved Mr. Rodgers Was”

By Kimberly Conner

Persistence paid off for the parents at P.S. 229 Dyker (1400 Benson Avenue). Officer Rodgers is coming home.

Several weeks ago, we reported on the abrupt and unexplained transfer of Officer Kevin Rodgers, a beloved school safety agent of 23 years, which resulted in protest from many parents and teachers. A petition to “bring back Mr. Rodgers” was circulated throughout the community and a rally was held that drew more than 100 parents and children.

At the school’s PTA meeting on Wednesday, February 4, concerned parents finally got the answer they were hoping for when Deputy Inspector John Lewis, Deputy Director Lindsey Martinez, and SSD Brooklyn South Commanding Officer Richard Covais addressed the issue.

“We didn’t realize how well loved he was in the community,” said Deputy Inspector Lewis. “And we’d like to get him back to you.”

This announcement was met with enthusiastic applause and cheering.

However, Deputy Inspector Lewis emphasized the fact that Officer Rodgers’s reinstatement at P.S. 229 is contingent upon several factors. Most importantly, Officer Rodgers has to be “compliant with our work rules and procedures.”

Officer Rodgers was transferred to David A. Boody Junior High School because of his failure to follow NYPD standards and protocol, and his new assignment entails more monitoring and direct supervision, according to school safety officials. Deputy Director Martinez added that Officer Rodgers was given “multiple warnings and counseling sessions” before he was ultimately transferred.

Several parents at the PTA meeting expressed their disappointment in how the whole situation was handled, particularly the lack of communication between the NYPD and the school community.

“The community’s in pain,” said Kim Jalet, 51, who has two children enrolled at the school. “We had a person who was part of the community for so long just gone and there was no communication. I wish we had gotten more information sooner.”

Police officers, parents, and school administrators all agree on one point – the children’s safety should be the number one priority.

“We’re going to make more visits here,” said Deputy Inspector Lewis. “We’re going to start our days here to make sure we can observe everything that’s going on.”

Officer Covais will assess the situation and update the school community within 30 to 60 days. He says that as long as Officer Rodgers is willing to comply with NYPD regulations, he will be reinstated at P.S. 229, possibly before the end of the school year.

Based on how parents and teachers rallied behind Officer Rodgers, it’s clear many will be relieved to have him back at his old post.

“We move agents all the time. We never get this reaction,” said Deputy Inspector Lewis.