Ex-NYPD School Safety Commander Charged with Bribery in New Indictment

The former head of the New York Police Department’s School Safety division has been implicated in a bribery scheme involving lucrative city contracts awarded to a Florida businessman. Federal authorities allege that Kevin Taylor, 52, attempted to secure these contracts in exchange for bribes that included significant cash payments, luxury hotel accommodations, and tickets to Broadway shows. The indictment indicates that Taylor exerted pressure on NYPD officials and members of the City Council to favor the businessman and his firm, SaferWatch, which specializes in providing panic buttons to educational institutions.

Although the indictment does not name the company directly, SaferWatch’s products were being piloted in New York City’s public schools during the 2024-25 academic year. The investigation revealed that SaferWatch had engaged the brother of two prominent aides to former Mayor Eric Adams as a consultant, which drew scrutiny and led to a search warrant being executed on at least one of the company’s employees.

Geno Roefaro, 39, the founder and CEO of SaferWatch, was also charged alongside Taylor. Both individuals face counts of bribery and wire fraud in connection with the scheme. The U.S. Attorney’s office stated that Taylor accepted bribes amounting to tens of thousands of dollars from Roefaro between July 2023 and February 2024, while simultaneously advocating for the approval of contracts that would have financially benefited SaferWatch.

Prosecutors detailed that Roefaro’s initial attempts to introduce his product to the city met with resistance, prompting him to engage in corrupt practices. As part of these dealings, he allegedly covered expenses for lavish trips that included a helicopter tour in Las Vegas and a luxurious meal in the Bahamas, which were coordinated with Taylor’s romantic partner. Following each of these trips, Taylor presented favorable reports to the City Council regarding the SaferWatch panic-button initiative.

The unfolding investigation has raised alarm within city departments, with U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasizing that the NYPD’s procurement process must remain untainted and above reproach. The allegations suggest not just a breach of trust, but extensive manipulation of city contracting processes, which is typically regarded as a rarity among NYPD officials.

As 2023 progressed, tensions reportedly mounted between the two men as Roefaro expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of their arrangements, indicating that he had invested substantially without realizing commensurate returns. Federal investigators noted that Taylor further attempted to exploit his position by extorting payments from additional business owners.

If convicted, both Taylor and Roefaro could face severe penalties, with maximum sentences reaching up to 20 years in prison. Legal representatives for both individuals have not yet responded to inquiries concerning the allegations. The investigation continues to spotlight issues of corruption in public service, reinforcing commitment among federal officials to uphold integrity within governmental operations.

This case illustrates the critical need for strict vigilance in public contract procurement processes, as federal authorities remain steadfast in their resolve to combat corruption at all levels of government.