Loving father, partner, brother, union sibling, friend, New York hero
32BJ security officer Aland Etienne put his life on the line to protect lives during a mass shooting at a major skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan this past July. To honor his legacy as a man who protected and uplifted others, the Aland Etienne Safety and Security Act has been introduced in the New York City Council.
The Act would establish a security officer training standard that reflects NYC's unique public safety risks. It would also strengthen community safety by helping to retain well-trained and experienced officers—gradually establishing wage, benefit, and paid time off standards for nearly 82,000 private security officers in the city.
The workforce currently suffers an unsafe turnover rate of 77% yearly. That means only 23% of NYC's security officers continue their service for longer than 12 months. Aland served for six years at 345 Park Avenue.
While risking their lives to keep our workplaces and neighborhoods safe, most security officers are under severe financial stress, worrying how they’ll make rent, pay medical bills (often without health insurance), and feed their families.
Most NYC security officers are earning poverty wages, according to an August 2025 study by the UC Berkeley Labor Center. That puts all of our safety at risk.
The Aland Etienne Safety and Security Act would protect our vital protectors, our essential first responders. With NYC's scale and visibility, this Act could set a national standard for professionalizing the security services industry—a standard that would help protect us all.
Read more and learn how you can help support Aland’s family:
> A remembrance by Aland's co-worker Raven
> amNY article (9/16/25)
> GoFundMe - In support of Aland's two children
> The Tablet article (8/27/25) - Reporting on Aland's 7-year-old son Ralandy:
"But while he didn’t understand the violence that claimed his dad, he did know the way forward." Ralandy's mother and Aland's partner, Rachelle, recalled Ralandy saying, 'Mommy, do you know what? We got to stick together and be strong – like this.' She said Ralandy then flexed the bicep of his little arm and declared, 'We have to be strong for daddy.'"
