NYC traffic enforcement agents seek peace officer status under NYS bill

"Representatives of CWA Local 1182, the union representing the city's 2,300 traffic agents, gained support from City Council Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams (D-Queens) in its push for peace officer status. Williams was expected to introduce into the Council a resolution on May 14 calling on state lawmakers to pass bills S.5763/A.6588, which would grant the agents this legal designation to improve protections."

"By granting them peace officer status instead of classifying them as civilian workers, the agents would receive greater legal protections, with anyone who assaults them facing tougher criminal penalties. If the bills are approved, assaults against agents on the job could be prosecuted under laws that apply to attacks on peace or police officers."

"Traffic agents get punched, spat at, and harassed I get punched, I get spit at. I had an agent the other day, she didn't do anything, Sadik said. The driver came out and punched her. She's about 5 feet tall, 90 pounds. He punched her so hard in her face that she can't talk. Sadik added that many agent assaults go unreported; many also pay for their own medical bills when they are attacked on the job."

"Traffic Enforcement Agents are responsible for duties including traffic control, school zone enforcement, congestion management, and maintaining access for emergency vehicles across the city. They also help manage traffic conditions near emergencies and public events. Government officials and union reps said assaults against on-duty agents remain a constant concern."

Traffic Enforcement Agents are working to obtain peace officer status due to ongoing assaults while on duty. The union representing about 2,300 agents received support from City Council Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams, who planned to introduce a resolution urging state lawmakers to pass bills S.5763/A.6588. Peace officer status would replace civilian worker classification and provide greater legal protections, including tougher criminal penalties for assaults. If approved, attacks on agents could be prosecuted under laws covering attacks on peace or police officers. Agents perform traffic control, school zone enforcement, congestion management, and help maintain access for emergency vehicles during emergencies and public events. Assaults are described as daily occurrences, with injuries often going unreported and some agents paying medical costs themselves.

Read at www.amny.com