The NYPD is taking two Manhattan squad cars off regular patrol to give a lights-and-sirens escort to five buses for NYU’s Yankee Stadium graduation — and will even shut down a bridge along the way, The Post has learned.
To help “honorees” get to the May 21 ceremony, Manhattan South Task Force cops will guide the fleet of coaches from Greenwich Village for the 10-mile trip, sources said.
“You would think with all the money they charge for tuition, they could hire limousines to drive them up there,” said a law enforcement source.
The squad cars, which would otherwise be used to fight crime below 59th Street, will be positioned at the front and back of the bus chain to help the pack stay together, law enforcement sources said.
Cops will blare sirens, flash red lights and even temporarily shut down the Macombs Dam Bridge with the help of Bronx cops, law enforcement sources said.
NYU spokesman John Beckman claimed the school needs help from cops so the gigantic ceremony runs smoothly.
“Buses are for the platform party and the honorees, who we need to have arrive altogether at the Stadium at one time,” Beckman said.
“[We need them] to get commencement started for the 9,000 graduates and the 20,000-plus family members, who have traveled from all over the world to see their sons and daughters graduate,” Beckman said.
“The Police Department has assessed our request for assistance and indicated a willingness to support it, provided assets are available the day of commencement, as they do with other institutions and major events.”
But sources called the whole thing outrageous.
“I wonder what Mayor de Blasio would think — they’re running red lights to get to a graduation ceremony,” said one cop, referencing the mayor’s safe streets campaign.
NYU has used NYPD officers to escort buses to its graduation ceremony since 2008.
Students take the subway to graduation, Beckman said.
An NYPD spokesman didn’t respond to requests for comment.