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Feds raid NYPD school safety headquarters in probe into city contracts: sources
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Feds raid NYPD school safety headquarters in probe into city contracts: sources

FBI agents raided the headquarters of the NYPD’s school safety division in Queens on Thursday as part of an investigation into city contracts, sources said.

The raids are the latest to target Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and appear linked to an investigation into Tim Pearson, a former top aide and one of Hizzoner’s longtime friends under scrutiny for allegedly choosing contractors in exchange for bribes.

Agents struck the Queens Plaza North headquarters in Long Island City Thursday afternoon and seized papers and records related to panic button contracts allegedly approved by Pearson, according to the sources.

Kevin Taylor, the up-and-coming former director of school security, also had his phone confiscated by the feds, sources say.

Terence Banks, the brother of outgoing schoolboy David Banks, is also linked to the investigation behind the searches, sources said.


Kevin Taylor
Taylor is the former up-and-coming leader of the school security guards. Matthew McDermott

FBI agents (not pictured) raided the headquarters of the NYPD's School Safety Division on Thursday.
FBI agents (not pictured) raided the headquarters of the NYPD’s School Safety Division on Thursday. Gregory P. Mango

The federal government is investigating how Saferwatch, a technology company that sold “panic button” apps that schools could use in an active shooter emergency and was one of Terence Banks’ clients, secured high-level meetings level with the chancellor, a source said. Pearson then reportedly gave the contract the green light.

Taylor had played a leading role in the school’s security division, but transferred earlier this year.

— Additional reporting by Tina Moore

This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.