Statement from Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER STATEMENT ON STANDARD AMUSEMENTS.

 

“We have been notified that Standard Amusements has filed for bankruptcy.  Our legal team will continue to address this matter as it will now be dealt with by the bankruptcy court.  At this point we are continuing to focus on Playland having a vibrant and successful 2019 season.”   

Westchester County Newsletter.

| CE WELCOME |

	Calendar @ Westchester Parks
	Airport Master Plan Westchester County Planning Department issues a request for proposals to supplement the HPN Master Plan and Environmental Impact Study.
	Westchester World Pride Please join us for Westchester County’s First LGBTQ Flag Raising on Sunday, June 2 at 11:30 a.m. in White Plains.
	Calling All Artists! ArtsWestchester is seeking proposals for temporary mural, sculptural or new media installation on the boardwalk at Playland Park.
	Westchester County Prom Safety It's prom season! Westchester County is sharing these tips to help ensure a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.
	CFA Workshop at WCC Office of Economic Development to host a workshop for business owners to learn about the CFA process, and funding opportunities.
	Westchester County Blood Drive Donate to Westchester’s Blood Drive on Monday, June 10 and receive a coupon for Baskin Robbins Ice Cream.
	Countdown to Clearwater 2019 Don’t miss your chance to buy tickets to Clearwater Festival 2019 – taking place at Croton Point Park from June 15-16.
	Top 5 Arts Picks in Westchester Plan your week in Westchester County at one of the many cultural attractions supported by ArtsWestchester.

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News from Westchester County.

COUNTY POLICE INVESTIGATE STABBING ON A BEE-LINE BUS.

 

 

(Hawthorne, NY) -- Westchester County Police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred early Wednesday on a Bee-Line bus in west Yonkers.

 

The incident occurred about 12:20 a.m. when two passengers became involved in an argument in the rear of the bus.  A third passenger, who was not involved in the dispute, walked from the front of the bus and stabbed the victim several times.

 

The victim, a 41-year-old man, suffered non-life-threatening wounds to his head, chest and one of his thumbs. He got off the bus at Nepperhan Avenue and Elm Street and walked to St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was treated there and then transferred to the Westchester Medical Center, where he was admitted. He has since been released.

 

The assailant fled the scene.

 

The investigation is continuing by detectives from the General Investigations Unit.

 

A few other passengers were on the bus at the time of the incident but exited when the confrontation began.

Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact the County Police Detectives tip line at 1-877-22-3560. All calls are confidential. Tips are also accepted at tips@wccops.com.

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 23, 2019

 

 

2019 JANDON SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED.

Board Celebrates 20^th Anniversary of Scholarship Program.

 

White Plains, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators and the Jandon Foundation on Tuesday announced the recipients of scholarships in the 2019 Jandon Scholars program. 

 

Also, in a special ceremony, legislators, joined by County Executive George Latimer, former County Executive Andy Spano, and current Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the program and the family of Donald and Jane Cecil, who founded the program.

 

The Jandon Scholars Program was founded in 1999 by the Cecil’s Jandon Foundation working in cooperation with then County Executive Spano’s office. Since 2010, the program has been administered by Jandon and the Board of Legislators.

 

 

At Tuesday’s ceremony, Board Chair Ben Boykin (D – White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison) presented a Board proclamation honoring the program and the Cecil family.  Boykin said, “Today is an extra special day.  Not only are we celebrating 15 new Jandon Scholars, but the 2019 class marks the 20th year of the Jandon Scholarship Program. This amazing family, the Cecils, have dedicated 20 years of their time, energy, and a lot of money, towards the higher education of Westchester’s students. With today’s announcement of 15 new scholars, the Jandon Foundation has awarded a total of 286 scholarships since the program began.”

 

Boykin also read a letter of recognition from Governor Andrew Cuomo and offered special thanks to Program Administrator Melanie Montalto.

 

Scholarship recipients were then honored in a ceremony of their own.  Special certificates were presented by Alec and Leslie Cecil to each of this year’s 15 scholars.

 

Alec Cecil praised the scholars saying, “You’ve all achieved much, often under difficult circumstances, yet you have much more to do.”  He added, “We are making an investment in you and through you an investment in the country and the world.”

 

The Jandon Scholars program awards $12,000 over four years to Westchester public high school seniors who meet certain academic requirements and financial eligibility guidelines.

 

One of the distinctive aspects of the Jandon Scholars program is that it follows students through their college careers.  Awards are provided in annual, increasing increments, and scholarship recipients have access to a network of hundreds of alumni who have come through the program.

 

Below is a list of this year’s Scholars, the high schools they attend and the colleges the will be attending:

 

·         Esther Antonetti, Palisade Preparatory High School -- City College of New York
·         Tasheem Brown, Mount Vernon High school -- University of Rochester
·         Adanech Christopher, Fox Lane High School -- Syracuse University
·         Yaqueline Flores, White Plains High School -- Mercy College
·         Leonardo Garcia, Saunders High School -- Manhattan College
·         Brian Garcia Hernandez, Lincoln High School -- University of Rochester
·         Jean Carlos Hernandez Orellana, Riverside High School -- SUNY New Paltz
·         Sarinah Jean Baptiste, Roosevelt High School -- Lehigh College
·         Seth Moody, Lincoln High School -- Hofstra University
·         Jocelyn Ortega, Peekskill High School -- Binghamton University
·         Ygor Pereira, Mount Vernon High School – University of Southern California
·         Carolyn Ramos, White Plains High School -- SUNY New Paltz
·         Dontae Richards, Mount Vernon High School -- University of Connecticut
·         Brandon Thomas, New Rochelle High School -- SUNY Cortland
·         Erika Yupangui Sigua, Port Chester High School -- Cornell University

 

About the Jandon Scholars Program

The Jandon Foundation believes that quality education should be accessible to all students, irrespective of their financial background. Together, with the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the Jandon Foundation administers the Jandon Scholars program, which seeks to level the playing field by supporting and encouraging promising young students from low-income families in their pursuit for higher education.

 

In the spring of each year, the Jandon Scholars Program awards 15 college scholarships.

 

The Jandon Scholars receive a total of $12,000 over their four years in college. To encourage students to complete their education, the Jandon Scholars Program offers an increase in the amount of the scholarship for each year the students remain in school. Students receive $1,500 their first year, $2,500 their second year, $3,500 their third year and $4,500 in their fourth and final year. These funds are given directly to the students to ensure the award will not diminish other financial opportunities. Students are required to submit their grades each semester in order to receive the next term’s scholarship funds. In addition to the scholarship money, Jandon Scholars are treated to social events during the year for networking, advice and support.

 

The Jandon Foundation is a private foundation created by Jane and Donald Cecil of Harrison, New York.  The Cecils funded the Mount Vernon “I Have a Dream” program in 1987 and began funding the Neuberger Museum of Arts’ “Writing Through the Arts” program in 1993.  The Foundation’s primary philanthropic interest lies in education with particular interest in helping students from financially disadvantaged and under-educated families succeed.


White Plains, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators is keeping kids on the basketball court in Mount Vernon this summer.

At its meeting Monday night, the Board unanimously approved more than $21,000 for this year's edition of the city's popular summer youth basketball program.

The program runs five days a week from 1-5 p.m. at the A.B. Davis Middle School gym from July 8 to August 16. It serves up to 90 boys and girls from the age of 8-17 every year.

The popular, long-running program not only provides basketball skills and drills, but also life skills, including weekly speakers addressing different topics.

Legislator Lyndon Williams (D - Mount Vernon) said, "This is a wonderful program, run by Mount Vernon High School Boys Basketball Coach Bob Cimmino, and I'm proud I and my colleagues on the Board are supporting it again this year. This is not just a basketball program, it uses basketball as an avenue to teach young people teamwork, problem resolution, good decision making. The values and life skills they acquire in this program will benefit them both on and off the court now and for years to come."

Legislator David Tubiolo (R - Yonkers, Mount Vernon) said, "With this program, every year, we’re able to ensure that young people in Mount Vernon have access to this kind of recreational opportunity regardless of means. This is a wonderful program that helps keep our children off the streets, in a safe and fun environment, where they learn not just skills for basketball, but

White Plains, NY — Benjamin Boykin II, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, has been accepted as one of a select group of leaders in county government from across the country to participate in the 16th Annual County Leadership Institute (CLI), a rigorous program developed by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Cambridge Leadership Associates.

CLI will be held on June 9 – 13 in Washington, D.C., and equips county officials with practical leadership strategies as they explore innovative approaches to address key issues facing their counties and constituents.

"I'm honored and excited to have been nominated by the New York State Association of Counties to be just one of 30 county leaders from across the nation to take part in this year's County Leadership Institute," Boykin said. "This will be an outstanding opportunity to learn from experts and to work with other county leaders to develop strategies and explore best practices that can be applied to helping us accomplish our goals for the people of Westchester."

“Chairman Ben Boykin is not only a leader in Westchester County government, but a true friend,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “First and foremost, Ben wants to do right by the people of this County, a goal he has never lost sight of. I congratulate him on this prestigious honor, and look forward to the continuation of our good work together.”

The program helps county leaders develop their approach toward solving complex challenges. It provides tools to encourage innovation and creativity; resources for invigorating organizational culture; and best practices in effective communication, collaboration and decision-making.

Matthew Chase, NACo’s executive director, said, “County officials often address similar issues and can learn a great deal from one another. The County Leadership Institute fosters peer-to-peer learning and encourages common-sense solutions to challenges that counties and residents face every day.”

Since its inception, the Institute, known for enhancing the capacity of county officials to identify and implement innovative solutions to complex challenges, has graduated 331 leaders from over 172 counties across 45 states. This year’s program focuses on the demands of personal leadership in the modern era of government, one characterized as a “permanent crisis” by Cambridge Leadership Associates co-founder Marty Linsky.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo assists America’s 3,069 counties in pursuing excellence in public service to produce healthy, vibrant, safe and resilient counties. NACo promotes sound public policies, fosters county solutions and innovation, promotes intergovernmental and public-private collaboration and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money. More information at: www.naco.org .


White Plains, NY — By a bi-partisan vote of 16-1, the Westchester County Board of Legislators on Monday passed a measure to protect pets by restricting how and when dogs can be tethered outdoors.

Under the new legislation, dogs in Westchester no longer will be allowed to be tethered outdoors overnight or during a weather alert. Also, tethering to a stationary object is banned for dogs less than six months old, sick or injured dogs, or nursing mothers whose offspring are present. The new measure requires someone to be home when a dog is tethered outdoors, and defines what types of tethers are safe and acceptable, and requires tethered dogs to have adequate access to food, water, dry ground, and sufficient space, among other conditions to ensure safe and humane treatment

Co-sponsor Kitley Covill (D - Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers), chair of the Board's Legislation Committee said, "This is a clear, specific, focused piece of legislation that not only will protect the safety of animals, but also gives animal control officers unambiguous guidelines to enforce, making their jobs easier."

Co-sponsor Margaret Cunzio (C - Mount Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville), chair of the Board's Public Safety Committee, said, “This legislation helps codify proper care, treatment and maintenance of dogs and will be a tool for animal control and law enforcement officers, Chaining or tethering a dog and leaving her or him out in extreme weather with little or no shelter is an inhumane practice. I am proud to have worked on this legislation and I look at this as a starting point to examine other issues involving the care of animals.”

Dogs who are left tethered outdoors are at risk from extreme weather conditions. Often they lack access to food, water and shelter. Dogs tied up outside can strangle or injure themselves on their tethers. And tethering can increase the threat to humans. According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control, chained dogs are nearly 3 times more likely to bite someone than unchained dogs.

 

News from Westchester County Legislator, KItley Covill, 2nd District.

Get to know your County Parks with Legislator Kitley Covill June 2nd, 1 PM Merestead Park Afternoon Hike & House Tour Join Legislator Covill and park staff for a house tour and trail hike at Merestead Park on Sunday, June 2nd at 1 pm.  Merestead, a Westchester County Park, is located in Town of Bedford and Mount Kisco. It comprises a neo-Georgian country mansion, designed by Delano and Aldrich and built in 1907, and twelve additional outer buildings, including an historic farmhouse (1850), carriage house and barn, all on a 130 acre property with woodlands and rolling fields, tucked in the hills overlooking the surrounding valley. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Merestead property is the former estate of Mrs. Margaret Sloane Patterson, daughter of William Douglas Sloane, a President of the furniture company W and J Sloane, and her husband Dr. Robert Lee Patterson Jr., a prominent orthopedic surgeon in New York City. Merestead features a 28-room Georgian mansion with gardens designed by Salter and Sanger in the early 20th century. The mansion has an art collection and library. The mansion will soon be closed for major work. Reservations are preferred for this event, but not required. Walking shoes or boots are recommended. For reservations or more information, call (914) 995-2804 or (914) 864-7317.  The park is located at 455 Byram Lake Road, just passed the intersection with Sarles Street.  The event will start at the mansion. For directions, click here. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

News from Westchester County.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TRAFFIC ADVISORY ENTRANCE RAMP CLOSURE FENNIMORE ROAD TOWN OF GREENBURGH PATHWAY CONSTRUCTION ROADWAY: Fennimore Road entrance ramp to the southbound Bronx River Parkway. LIMITS: Fennimore Road and the Southbound Bronx River Parkway WHAT: Pathway construction. IMPACTS: The entrance ramp to the southbound Bronx River Parkway from Fennimore Road will closed to motorists. WHEN: Monday, May 20, 2019, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM. WHO: Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation contract #11-151R. For additional information please contact Westchester County Traffic Engineering Division at (914) 995-2555. WESTCHESTER COUNTY HOSTS HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING DAY EVENT ON MAY 18. The County Will Hold the HRD Event at the Material Recovery Facility in Yonkers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.   (Yonkers, NY) – Westchester County’s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) will be conducting a Household Recycling Day (HRD) Event on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the County’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF), located in Yonkers, at exit 6A off I-87, opposite Home Depot and Stew Leonard’s.   On April 6, DEF conducted the first HRD Event of the year at FDR State Park, in Yorktown Heights. 3,025 households delivered 82,000 lbs. of household waste, and 18,000 lbs. of documents for shredding to that event. Last year, the Department held three HRD Events, the first ones held in the County since 2012, and they were a huge success. Events held at the MRF, FDR State Park and Rye Playland attracted over 7,250 visitors, who delivered over 200,000 lbs. of household waste.   In addition to properly labelled household chemicals and other special wastes found in a typical household, residents can bring documents for shredding and expired or unwanted medications for disposal to the May 18 HRD Event at the MRF.   Generally, the following items are accepted for safe disposal or recycling:   ·         Properly labelled household chemicals, such as: o   Household cleaning products o   Most automotive fluids (antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline but not motor oil) o   Flammable liquids (kerosene, butane, lighter fluid, turpentine) o   Metal, jewelry and furniture polishes and waxes; wood preservatives o   Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides o   Photographic and swimming pool chemicals   ·         Batteries – only vehicle, rechargeable, or button cell ·         Fluorescent light bulbs & CFLs ·         Fire extinguishers ·         BBQ propane tanks (up to 20 lbs.) ·         Mercury containing devices (thermometers and thermostats) ·         Electronic waste (TVs, computer monitors and towers) ·         Expired or unwanted medications, both OTC and prescription ·         Personal documents for shredding (limit of four (4) file-size boxes per household) ·         Tires   Items that will not be accepted and should not be brought to the Household Recycling Day include paint (both latex and oil), non-rechargeable alkaline and carbon zinc batteries (they can be safely discarded in the trash), motor oil, smoke detectors, cell phones, explosives (flares, fireworks, ammunition), construction debris and hypodermic needles. Also, waste from businesses, schools or other institutions will not be accepted.   For more information on what to bring to this event, visit www.westchestergov.com/recycling or call (914)813-5425.   If you can’t make it to the HRD Event, you can still dispose of your hard-to-get-rid-of household waste by visiting the County’s Household-Material Recycling Facility (H-MRF), 15 Woods Rd., Valhalla. The H-MRF is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment and accepts the same items that are accepted at the HRD events. For more information about the H-MRF or to make an appointment, visit http://environment.westchestergov.com/new-h-mrf or call (914) 813-5425.     WESTCHESTER COUNTY POLICE MARK NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2019. Awards ceremony, memorial tribute to fallen heroes held.   (Hawthorne, NY) -- Westchester County Police marked National Police Week by hosting a Department Awards ceremony, honoring 18 fallen officers at a memorial service and creating a video tribute to the men and women who serve today.   At this year’s annual department awards ceremony, 45 officers were honored for bravery, investigative skill, lifesaving and other outstanding police work performed in the last year.  The awards covered a broad range of incidents and investigations handled by members of the Patrol Services Division, Detective Division, Special Operations Division and Special Investigations Unit.   The ceremony included a memorial tribute to 18 officers who died in the line of duty from the Department of Public Safety or its predecessor agencies – the Westchester County Sheriff’s Department and the Westchester County Parkway Police.   The Department of Public Safety was created on July 1, 1979, through a merger of the Sheriff’s Department and Parkway Police. In honor of the Department’s upcoming 40th anniversary, a video tribute to officers past and present was shown at the ceremony. It can be found at https://bit.ly/2M1JWyS   County Executive George Latimer this week expressed his appreciation to the County Police and the entire Westchester law enforcement community. “As is often said – but can never be said too often – police officers are the first responders who are tasked with running toward an emergency while the rest of us run away. Police officers swear an oath to keep us safe, often putting themselves in danger, and still carry on as mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and neighbors in their civilian life. On this Police Week 2019, be sure to keep in our thoughts these heroic folks who make it their duty to protect us - while we must be sure to do what we can to support them,” Latimer said. Public Safety Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason and Deputy Commissioner Terrance Raynor presided over the Department Awards Ceremony, which was held at the Westchester County Center.   “Across our shared history, 18 members of the Westchester County Police, the Parkway Police and the Sheriff’s Department have made the ultimate sacrifice. Keep them in your hearts this week,” Gleason said. “The most important way we honor these heroes is by bringing the same dedication, courage and professionalism to our work as they did to theirs.  I thank all of you for keeping that commitment every day.” Those fallen heroes are: Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith, 1792; P.O. Raymond Tehan, 1925; Special P.O. John Murphy, 1928; P.O. George Segnit, 1929; P.O. Clifton Cypher, 1930; P.O. Michael Erdley, 1933; P.O. Manuel Borgos, 1938; P.O. Reuben Conklin, 1943; P.O. Carlos Bishop, 1946; P.O. John Chabala Jr., 1948; P.O. George Ruthven, 1954; P.O. Francis Bradley, 1960; P.O. James Groark, 1966; Deputy Sheriff William Fitzgerald, 1968; P.O. John Gonda, 1969; Deputy Sheriff Kieran Grant, 1979; P.O. Gary Stymiloski, 1985; and Sgt. Charles Rice, Jr., 2009. Patrol and Special Operations officers were honored for apprehending fleeing criminals; de-escalating encounters with armed suspects and persons in emotional crisis; responding without hesitation to a reported active shooter incident; handling explosive devices sent to two prominent Westchester residents and preserving critical evidence for federal officials; tracking and locating lost and endangered persons; and saving the lives of persons suffering medical emergency or injury, including rescuing a man drowning in the Hudson River, aiding a parole officer who suffered a life-threating, accidental gunshot wound; and freeing a motorist trapped inside an overturned car that was in danger of exploding from leaking gasoline.   Detectives were recognized for a variety of successful and complex investigations, including a fatal hit-and-run incident, rape and other sexual assault cases, and an interstate armed robbery ring that included criminals posing as police officers.   Awards were issued as follows:   Meritorious Service Medal: Sgt. Brian Bosan, Sgt. Dave Minet, Sgt. Edward Devlin, Sgt. Michael Ritell, Detective Brandon Amlung, Detective Anthony Cucinell, Detective Kenneth Hasko, Detective Nicholas Piqueras, Detective George Ruiz, Detective Thomas Barker, Detective Jonathan Gould, Detective Edward Kelch, Detective Jose Puig and Police Officer ChristyLee Sansone.   Excellent Police Duty Medal was Captain Paul Stasaitis.   Commendable Police Duty Medal: Lt. Jeffrey Weiss, Sgt. Brian Bosan, Sgt. Michael Demaio, Sgt. Anthony Morizio, Sgt. Vincent Antonecchia, Sgt. Paul Cusano, Sgt. James Harrison, Sgt. Jeffrey Slotoroff,  Detective Antonio Correia, Detective Robert Barber, Detective Joseph Donza, Detective Glenna Lunn, Detective Edward Kelch, Detective Brandon Amlung, Police Officer Scott Forsythe, Police Officer Michael Huffman, Police Officer Sean Lonergan, Police Officer Richard Pucillo, Police Officer Wilberto Saez, Police Officer Colin Breen, Police Officer Christopher Guziczek, Police Officer Richard Lepore, Police Officer Brian Poplawski, Police Officer Matthew Rokicki and Police Officer brian Tierney. Receiving the Lifesaving Medal were: Detective C.J. Westbrook, Police Officer Michael Hamborsky, Police Officer Wilberto Saez, Police Officer Elena Cotto, Police Officer Efrain Rivera and Police Officer Nicholas Zebrowski.   The Unit Citation was presented to the Ceremonial Unit. National Police Week events have been held since 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.    DURING POLICE WEEK, COUNTY EXECUTIVE LATIMER ROLLS OUT LEGISLATION TO BETTER . MONITOR PRECIOUS METALS AND GEMS SOLD AT PAWN SHOPS TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT FIGHT CRIME.   Watch Full Press Conference HERE.   (White Plains, NY) – Law enforcement has identified an increase in crimes related to stolen goods which coincides with the onset of the opioid and heroin epidemic - and while laws currently exist to regulate precious metal and gem dealers, they are in need of an update to keep up with advancements in technology and changes in law enforcement trends.   That is why, in a bi-partisan effort, County Executive George Latimer, Legislators Margaret Cunzio and Kitley Covill, the Department of Public Safety and the County’s Consumer Protection Department are updating these laws to help protect consumers from unscrupulous business activity and ensure that our County remains a safe place to live.   Latimer said: “We are here to identify an action that we're taking in the Legislature and then the Executive Branch that, during this the end of National Police week, will help law enforcement professionals do their job a little bit better. We often talk about standing behind the brave men and women of law enforcement, and sometimes it's a ‘showy’ type of situation - but sometimes it involves very specific and technical details that will improve their ability to enforce the laws. That is what this legislation represents.”   Since secondhand dealers are often used to dispose of stolen goods, controls and regulations on the industry would assist in preventing the proliferation of these goods being sold for quick cash which is then in turn used to purchase drugs. The proposed local law would require metal and gem dealers to not only maintain written records of their transactions, but also submit daily electronic records of each transaction they make. This will provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to combat the secondhand sale of stolen, or otherwise illegally obtained, goods.   Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gleason said: “I thank County Executive Latimer, County Attorney Nonna, Legislators Covill and Cunzio and Consumer Protection Director Jim Maisano for being such staunch supporters of law enforcement and being sympathetic when we brought our concerns regarding this needed revision to the legislation to their attention. It's critically important, especially in this day and age, to try to combat the sales of stolen property. The way that the law was on the books, which required paper submissions, was so far behind the times that changing to an electronic submission, in and of itself, is going to be a huge tool for us in crime-fighting.”   Consumer Protection Director Jim Maisano said: “This is clearly one of those situations where we needed to update the laws of Westchester to better catch thieves. The only way we can catch the thieves is to update technology to get this data transferred very quickly so we can identify those items and get them back for the person that lost them before they're sold and lost forever. That is why these updates are so important.”   Covill said: “As an ex-ADA, someone would come in to make a complaint, having already gone to the detective bureau, and I'd hold my head in my hands because I knew that the system was so antiquated. This is real-life stuff that will make a future ADA say ‘I know, let's call and check the records’ and it'll help law enforcement say ‘this is good, we know, let's get a good description and we're going find that for you.’ This is really a wonderful way to make sure that we again reinforce that this is a safe and good community.”   Cunzio said: “Anyone that has ever had or known somebody that has had something stolen from you especially something with sentimental value knows that time is of the essence. So this legislation will enable law enforcement to do their job, to do it efficiently, effectively and hopefully this will have a positive impact on our constituency. So if somebody does have something stolen from them we can get that information out there and hopefully get it back to the rightful owner.”   This proposed local law would make sweeping changes to the current version of the law regulating precious metal and gem dealers which has not been otherwise updated since 1985.

News from Westchester County.

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

 

DURING POLICE WEEK, COUNTY EXECUTIVE LATIMER ROLLS OUT LEGISLATION TO BETTER MONITOR PRECIOUS METALS AND GEMS SOLD AT PAWN SHOPS TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT FIGHT CRIME.

 

Friday, May 17

3p.m.

Michaelian Office Building

148 Martine Ave.

9^th Floor

White Plains, NY 10601

 

While laws currently exist to regulate precious metal and gem dealers, they are in need of an update to keep up with advancements in technology and changes in law enforcement trends. Law enforcement has identified an increase in crimes related to stolen goods which coincides with the onset of the opioid and heroin epidemic. Since secondhand dealers are often used to dispose of stolen goods, controls and regulations on the industry would assist in preventing the proliferation of stolen goods being sold for quick cash which is then in turn used to purchase drugs.

 

In a bi-partisan effort, Legislators Margaret Cunzio and Kitley Covill, in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety and the County’s Consumer Protection Department, are working to help protect consumers from unscrupulous business activity and ensure that our County remains a safe place to live. The proposed law would make a number of technical changes to account for new types of precious metals and gems. In addition, the law would require dealers to be duly licensed to conduct business within Westchester County.