A Long Island school board leader refused to honor a murdered cop with a moment of silence, claiming the memorials have “challenges of consistency and fairness,” a newly surfaced video shows.
The footage from a Feb. 10 meeting shows Connetquot School Board Vice President April Iannitelli turn down a request from a colleague to honor Officer Patricia Espinosa, a Nassau County cop who was killed by an alleged drunk driver who blew through a red light and crashed into her Alfa Romero while she was on the way to work in January.
“In true transparency, there was a request for a moment of silence tonight for the police officer that was tragically killed,” Iannitelli said, according to the clip which is now sparking outrage in the community.
“I had to tell this particular trustee that we did observe moments of silence on occasion for individual people, but over time it has created challenges around consistency and fairness,” she added.
Iannitelli then rejected the proposal, citing that “there are so many losses that affect the community in so many different ways.”
The resurfaced comments are being widely condemned among district parents, including those who served on the Nassau County police force alongside Espinosa.
“As a Connetquot school tax payer and a co-worker of Officer Espinoza, I do find this upsetting!” one fuming resident and former cop said in a Facebook group for district parents.
“A moment of silence not only would have been greatly appreciated with (no cost ) but it also would show the school to recognize drunk driving awareness,” he added, before accusing school administrators of being “anti-law enforcement.”
Community members have been swarming board meetings to express their dismay over the rejection in the months since the comments, according to sources.
“What message does this send to the students and this community as a whole? This board missed an opportunity to lead by example,” one resident railed at a March meeting.
“Disgusting!” She yelled at the board members, according to the footage.
Others involved in the district, like Jackie Napolitano-Furno — a 26-year veteran of the NYPD and Nassau Village police who is running against Iannitelli for her seat — have also been fuming at the rejection.
“Ms. Iannitelli’s blatant disrespect for our police officers is a stain on our community,” she said Wednesday.
“We need new leadership that sets a better example for our children,” she added.
Neither the Connetquot school district nor Iannitelli responded to requests for comment.