BUFFALO TEACHERS FEDERATION CONDEMNS COUNCILMAN WINGO'S STATEMENT

BTF President, Philip Rumore, today, excoriated Councilman Ulysees Wingo, Sr. for his May 17, 2019 at 7:01 p.m. public statement made after he brought a loaded gun and ammunition into a Buffalo Public School.

“It is a matter of grave concern that Councilman Ulysees Wingo, Sr. brought a loaded gun into one of our schools despite all the horrendous school shootings and the fact that every knowledgeable person knows that it is illegal to bring a loaded weapon into a school (unless you are a law enforcement officer).

What is far worse and unacceptable is his complete refusal to accept responsibility for his dangerous action and his attempt to blame the school district for his illegal and dangerous action.

His statement that “I am remorseful that this has come to our doorstep as a community. This further enforces the need for a more robust security program at all of our schools” (emphasis added).

Rather than saying that he was wrong and had violated the law by bringing a loaded firearm into the school, he attempts to blame the school district’s security program for his bringing a loaded weapon into the school.

Yes, we would all like more security in our schools; however, that will never remove the responsibility of a person who illegally brings a loaded weapon into the school.

Blaming the school district is unacceptable.

Upon realizing that he had or was bringing a loaded firearm into the school, after notifying the administration, he should have immediately returned to his vehicle and locked it in the trunk.

We teach our children to accept responsibility for their actions. Councilman Wingo obviously ignored this life lesson.

He owes an apology to the community, our security officers and all in our school district.

We note that while Councilman Wingo shamelessly attempts to blame the school district for his unlawful act of bringing a loaded weapon into a school, the Common Council has not increased its allocation to the school district for over three (3) years.” Rumore concluded.

PR:su