VACCINATIONS TODAY. 23% of ALL 7 MID-HUDSON COUNTY POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED. WESTCHESTER 40%.

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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Office, with WPCNR local details PROVIDED . May 3, 2021:

(Editor’s Note: The day after Governor Cuomo announced the lowest state wide infection rate of Coronavirus new cases of 1.5% of those tested –the lowest infection rate since October 28– he issued this report on the progress of Covid-19 vaccinations.

Local details: In the Mid Hudson region consisting of Westchester, Dutchess, Orange , Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster Counties, 705,877 persons have completed both doses, 23% of the 3,100,000 total residents in all 7 counties.

On Saturday, Westchester County found 96 persons testing positive of 8,391 tested for an infection rate of 1.2% the county lowest total percentage since the second wave of covid spread began 6 months ago.

The last time the county tested this low was October 21, when the positive rate was 1.3%. This completed a week where total persons tested positive in the county averaged 1.6% per day. The number of new persons found positive for covid was 857.

In two weeks time given a hospitalization rate of 3% last week would find 25 persons needing hospitalizations, down from 120 hospitalizations a week when new positives were running 400 a day just before April 1 and hospitalizations of persons testing positive were running at the rate of 4.3% in the county. End Editor’s Note)

The Governor’s report:

93,940 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours          

More than 1.2 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days           

Vaccine Dashboard Updated Daily on the State’s Vaccine Program Here    

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s vaccination program. 93,940 doses have been administered across the state’s vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.2 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. The week 20 allocation of 1,419,795 first and second doses is expected to finish arriving today. 

“Our progress in beating back this virus has allowed us to slowly reopen our state and, if more people get vaccinated and the overall metrics continue to move in the right direction, we are optimistic that we can stay on this trajectory.” Governor Cuomo said. “We cannot afford to get cocky, nor can we get lax in our vaccination efforts. Even as the spring season is in full swing and more people want to get outside and enjoy the warm weather, the footrace between the infection rate and the vaccination rate is still on. I remind all New Yorkers who still need to get the vaccine that it’s the only way to show support for our health providers who work tirelessly to get shot into people’s arms – and for everyone in their community who is vulnerable to this virus.”  

All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccinefinder.org to find information on vaccine appointments near them.           

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered – 15,643,329

Total doses administered over past 24 hours – 93,940

Total doses administered over past 7 days – 1,208,303

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 46.5%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 34.9%  

 People with at least one vaccine dose People with complete vaccine series 
RegionCumulativeTotalIncrease over past24 hoursCumulativeTotalIncrease over past24 hours
Capital Region546,8331,448414,6762,023
Central New York448,121678367,6962,374
Finger Lakes561,6401,373434,1932,464
Long Island1,184,0466,014864,2875,119
Mid-Hudson982,7672,878705,8774,674
Mohawk Valley221,091405178,8281,282
New York City4,235,60620,0093,120,64736,340
North Country205,217367179,4311,022
Southern Tier292,504642234,2051,257
Western New York601,8262,692455,2712,546
Statewide9,279,65136,5066,955,11159,101
RegionTotal Doses ReceivedTotal Doses Administered% of Total Doses Administered/ReceivedFirst Doses ReceivedFirst Doses Administered% of First Doses Administered/Received
Capital Region1,115,785933,44183.70%670,255546,83381.60%
Central New York874,055776,38788.80%495,580448,12190.40%
Finger Lakes1,109,300966,20387.10%638,315561,64088.00%
Long Island2,219,0301,987,97289.60%1,328,4151,184,04689.10%
Mid-Hudson1,804,0901,617,49389.70%1,073,865982,76791.50%
Mohawk Valley477,125390,75681.90%264,210221,09183.70%
New York City8,094,5957,075,05887.40%4,807,4004,235,60688.10%
North Country421,290377,94289.70%226,805205,21790.50%
Southern Tier590,370509,31786.30%335,005292,50487.30%
Western New York1,151,7451,008,76087.60%681,335601,82688.30%
Statewide17,857,38515,643,32987.60%10,521,1859,279,65188.20%
 
                                                                     
1st doses fully delivered to New York Providers 2nd doses fully delivered to New York Providers TOTALCUMULATIVE
Week 1Doses arriving 12/14 – 12/20163,6500163,650163,650
Week 2Doses arriving 12/21 – 12/27452,1250452,125 615,775
Week 3Doses arriving 12/28 – 01/03227,3950227,395843,170
Week 4Doses arriving 01/04 – 01/10239,025165,150404,1751,247,345
Week 5Doses arriving 01/11 – 01/17221,315119,925 341,240 1,588,585
Week 6Doses arriving01/18- 01/24250,400462,395 712,795 2,301,380
Week 7Doses arriving01/25 – 01/31260,150239,525499,6752,801,055
Week 8Doses arriving02/01 – 02/07321,850220,720542,5703,343,625
Week 9Doses arriving02/8 – 02/14320,000244,500564,5003,908,125
Week 10Doses arriving2/15 – 2/21356,990265,525622,5154,530,640
Week 11Doses arriving2/22 – 2/28393,530305,780699,3105,229,950
Week 12Doses arriving03/01 – 03/071,020,660290,5001,311,1606,541,110
Week 13 Doses arriving 03/08 – 03/14618,880526,4151,145,2957,686,405
Week 14 Doses arriving 03/15 – 3/21699,790584,7751,284,5658,970,970
Week 15 Doses arriving 03/22 – 3/28828,000737,0801,565,08010,536,050
Week 16 Doses arriving 03/29 – 04/04819,800569,9051,389,705 11,925,755
Week 17 Doses arriving 04/05 – 04/121,068,455658,7701,727,22513,652,980
Week 18 Dosesarriving 04/12 – 04/18763,825774,8251,538,65015,191,630
Week 19 Dosesarriving 04/12 – 04/18738,340507,6201,245,96016,437,590

The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the state’s vaccination effort.   

New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.   

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CITY TO VOTE ON NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS AMENDMENT MONDAY NIGHT. RESIDENTS URGE RIGOROUS REWRITE. NOT PROTECTIVE THEY ALLEGE

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 WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER By John F. Bailey. May 1, 2021:

On Monday evening the White Plains Common Council will vote on a new telecommunications code regarding the installation of new “small cell” antennas required for the deployment of 5G technology. The code has been the subject of concern for many residents who object to the placement of these antennas in close proximity to their homes or apartments because of issues of safety, privacy, security, property values and health. 

A White Plains resident who has been following this issue contacted WPCNR and expressed their concerns:

“The proposed amendment to the White Plains telecom code is weak and provides no protections for residents. It enables telecoms to install their powerful cell antennas next to homes, schools, play areas and houses of worship in residential neighborhoods exposing residents especially children to nonstop radiofrequency radiation. The City of White Plains needs to first and foremost protect its residents immediately.”

The resident elaborated:

Critics of the new proposed code say it fails to address many of these concerns and leaves the City open to potential liability because the giant telecoms promoting 5G technology have been unable to obtain liability insurance against health claims. Taxpayers could be on the hook for future problems. 

Concerns about potential health problems have been growing since a 2018 study by the National Institutes of Health that found that exposure to RF radiation – the kind emitted by wireless antennas – caused an increase in cancer and DNA damage in lab animals. The ten-year, $30 million dollar study was the most comprehensive ever conducted, and was designed to determine whether or not such radiation could cause biological harm. The results confirmed thousands of smaller, independent studies. 

“The wireless industry is just pretending that study never happened,” said Doug Wood, Founder and Director of Americans for Responsible Technology, a non-profit organization. “Instead of pushing their unproven technology on the public, what they should be doing is figuring out how to make it safe.” 

While the Federal government has restricted the ability of local governments to regulate the placement of wireless antennas, critics say there are many things the City could still do to improve its code and make it more protective, but that numerous meetings with the mayor have failed to produce a satisfactory result.

Meantime powerful cell antenna installations continue to proliferate local residential neighborhoods across White Plains right next to homes and play areas including most recently on Bolton and Overlook, Miles and Ralph, and Seton and Sammis Lane.

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FOR THE RECORD: TRANSCRIPT OF NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORDINANCE TO BE CONSIDERED MONDAY EVENING BY COMMON COUNCIL

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WPCNR FOR THE RECORD. Transcript of proposed Enhanced telecommunications code for City of White Plains regulation of celltower installations and conditions for new applications presently to be considered Monday May 3rd by Common Council. May 1, 2021:

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 4-23 OF THE WHITE PLAINS MUNICIPAL CODE ENTITLED “TELECOMMUNICATIONS FRANCHISES AND LICENSING” TO AMEND SECTION 4-23-4(C)  REGARDING REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS  AND TO ADD NEW SECTIONS 4-23-12 REGARDING  PREFERRED LOCATIONS FOR SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS, 4-23-13 REGARDING LIABILITY INSURANCE, 4-23-14 REGARDING TESTING OF SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES, 4-23-15 REGARDING SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND 4-23-16 INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT.

Section 1. Chapter 4-23-4 (C) of the White Plains Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

            (c)The application fee for installation of small wireless facilities as defined by the Federal Communications Commission’s Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order adopted September 26, 2018 (No. 18-133) shall be $500 for up to five (5) units and $100 for each additional unit proposed and a fee of $1,000 if a new pole is proposed for the facility. Said non recurring fee shall apply to the initial application for a small wireless facilities as part of the franchise agreement as well as subsequent requests for additional units in the future.  Applicants shall also pay a deposit, in the amount of six hundred ($600) dollars per each unit to cover the City’s initial costs in reviewing and processing the request. Payment shall be made by depositing six  hundred ($600.00) dollars per each unit with the Department of Public Works with the initial application fee prescribed in this subsection. The city may draw from the deposit account after providing the Applicant written notice of the reasonable costs to be paid from the account. Applicants shall be responsible for payment of such additional reasonable costs as the City may incur in reviewing the application. Such reasonable costs may include, but are not limited to, internal staff time, and reasonable costs associated with the retention of consultants to provide additional expertise where needed. In the event such additional expenses are required, the City shall so advise the applicant. Any outstanding amount shall be due upon final action on the application and must be paid prior to the City’s issuance of any permit under this section. Any amounts not expended in the review shall, upon written request to the City be returned to the Applicant.

            Section 2. Chapter 4-23 of the White Plains Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding a new Section 4-23-12 to read as follows:

            4-23-12.          Preferred locations for small wireless facilities and notice requirements.

(a) To the extent technically feasible, small wireless facilities should be located first in industrial districts, secondly in business districts and last in residential districts;

(b)  To the extent technically feasible, no  small wireless facilities as defined in 47 C.F.R. §1.6002(1) shall be located in the Front Facade Area of a residential structure,  any public, private and/or state-chartered preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, daycare center or nursing home or use (“Front Facade Area” being the area of the public right-of-way directly in front of any of the aforementioned structures, identified by drawing a perpendicular line from each corner of the structure to the public right-of-way) but rather, if required, such facilities shall be located at the intersecting point of the front and side property lines;

(c)       Notwithstanding the preferences in subsections a and b hereof, the Commissioner of Public Works may approve the location of a small cell wireless facility wherever necessary to meet the Applicant’s network service needs, reduce the facilities aesthetic impact or prevent a violation of law.

(d)   The Applicant shall provide notice of an application for a small wireless facility to the owners of  property, if any, located within 500 feet of the proposed small wireless facility. Such notice shall be sent by certified mail within five (5) days of filing for approval from the City which notice shall indicate (i)that the application is being considered by the Commissioner of Public Works and, if traffic poles are being utilized, by the Deputy Commissioner of Parking for Transportation,  (ii) that the Commissioner(s) may consider whether a nearby location might have less of an aesthetic impact and be a safer location as well as the necessity of a general location to provide adequate service coverage for the Applicant’s network and (iii) all comments should be promptly emailed to DPWadmin@whiteplainsny.gov.

            Section 3. Chapter 4-23 of the White Plains Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding a new Section 4-23-13  to read as follows:

            4-23-13 Liability Insurance

All franchise agreements for small wireless facilities as defined in 47 C.F.R. §1.6002(1) shall   provide general liability insurance without a pollution exclusion or in the event that franchisee cannot obtain general liability insurance without a pollution exclusion, the franchisee may supply self-insurance, so long as the net worth of the party electing to self-insure shall exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) in Constant Dollars, upon the following terms:

a.         If the franchisee elects to self-insure for this risk, which would otherwise be covered by third party insurance required to be maintained hereby if such party had not elected to so self-insure, occurs:

            (1) with respect to a  commercial general liability insurance claim that would be covered except for the pollution exclusion clause of the commercial general liability policy, the self-insuring party shall undertake the defense of any such claim, including a defense of the other party, at the sole cost and expense of the self-insuring party;

            (2) the self-insuring party shall use its own funds to pay any claim or otherwise provide the funding which would have been available from insurance proceeds but for the election to self-insure (and this item (2) shall not be construed in any manner to prevent or restrict the self-insuring party from pursuing any claim against any party, except the other party and the other party’s Indemnified Parties, with respect to such claim after the self-insuring party has paid the claim);

            (3) since the franchise agreements require the City to be named as an additional insured, the self-insuring party shall have the same fiduciary duties to the other party that the self-insuring party’s third party insurer would have had to the other party if

            (i) such third party insurer was providing such insurance and

            (ii) such third party insurer had named the other party as an additional insured with respect to such insurance;

            (4) the claim shall be treated as an insured claim hereunder, and

            (5) the expiration or termination of the franchise agreement or any default by the other party hereunder shall not terminate or otherwise affect the obligation of the self-insuring party to provide, through such self-insurance, the insurance coverage the self-insuring party would otherwise be required to obtain from a third party insurer hereunder.

            Section 4. Chapter 4-23 of the White Plains Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding a new Section 4-23-14  to read as follows:

            4-23-14  Testing of small wireless facilities

            All franchise agreements for small wireless facilities as defined in 47 C.F.R. §1.6002(1) shall contain a provision requiring the franchisee to provide to the Commissioner of Public Works a report in a format acceptable to the Commissioner of Public Works showing that all installations shall be in compliance with the applicable, mandatory guidelines of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) including those related to radio frequency (“RF”) emissions. In addition, the franchisee shall be required to deposit money into an escrow account with the Commissioner of Public Works  to allow for the retention by the Commissioner of Public Works of a qualified independent testing firm to periodically verify that all RF exposure levels are within FCC  guidelines as said small wireless facilities are operated in the future. The franchisee shall be required to restore the escrow account to the required amount as funds are expended by the Department of Public Works to perform such testing. In the event that such testing performed by a RF engineer or other qualified independent testing company retained by the Commissioner of Public Works reveals that any of said small wireless facilities tested is not operating within the RF exposure levels set by the FCC for “general population/uncontrolled exposure” and/or indicates a substantial change to any areas to which “occupational/controlled exposure” guidelines would apply and/or finds that any of such small cell facilities tested is not complying with other applicable FCC standards, the franchisee shall be required to submit a report from a RF engineer or other qualified independent testing company approved by the Commissioner of Public Works certifying that all of the franchisee’s small wireless facilities  are operating within FCC guidelines and further indicating all areas around all of the franchisee’s small wireless facilities to which “occupational/controlled exposure” guidelines would apply.

            Section 5. Chapter 4-23 of the White Plains Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding a new Section 4-23-15 to read as follows:

            4-23-15.          Small wireless facility on private property

            A small wireless facility to be installed on private property shall be subject to the issuance of a permit from the Commissioner of Public Works, the application for which shall include the location and installation details of the facility and shall be subject to the same application fees, as a facility placed in the right of way, set forth in Section 4-23-4(c) of the Municipal Code. The Commissioner of Public Works shall issue an administrative permit for the installation of the facility provided that (1) the facility complies with  all applicable Federal, State and County laws, rules and regulations; (2) the facility complies with all applicable laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations of the City now or hereafter enacted and all fees, taxes and other payments required hereunder or by such laws, codes, rules or regulations are paid; (3) all construction, installation, maintenance and repair shall be in compliance with the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and the National Electric Code (NEC) and, where applicable and required by the FCC, all electrical portions of the facility shall be U/L certified; (4) the facility shall not constitute a hazard to pedestrian safety and (5) the installation shall be designed  by a New York State licensed professional engineer in accordance with the latest TiA/EIA specifications to withstand  sustained winds of 100 mph. The facility shall also be subject to the provisions and requirements of Sections 4-23-12, 4-23-13 and 4-23-14 of the Municipal Code.

            Section 6. Chapter 4-23 of the White Plains Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding a new Section 4-23-16 to read as follows:

            4-23-16.          Installation of Equipment

            The Commissioner of Public Works shall only approve equipment to be installed within the public right of way which is authorized by the franchise agreement including that the equipment is of the same or substantially consistent in size, quantity, shape, color, weight, configuration, or other physical properties of one of the approved configurations in the franchise agreement as may be amended from time to reflect the existence of new technologies or equipment.

            Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect immediately.            (Editor’s note: If Common Council approves it Monday evening) 

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5 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS OPPOSE 701 WESTCHESTER OFFICE PARK CONVERSION TO APARTMENTS–up for HEARING JUNE 7

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From the Gedney Association. April 30, 2021:

April 30, 2021

Members of the Common Council
City of White Plains
255 Main Street
White Plains, New York 10601

Re: 701 Westchester Avenue Rezoning

Dear Members of the Common Council,

At a meeting held in late March the Board of the Gedney Association unanimously voted to firmly oppose the proposed rezoning at 701 Westchester Avenue to permit a 360 unit apartment complex.  The Board of The Gedney Association believes that such apartment use should be restricted to the Downtown area, especially given its current weakened condition. 

We strongly agree with the Old Oaks Association, The North Street Civic Association, the Rosedale Residential Association and our neighbors in Havilands Manor in insisting that this rezoning be rejected.

When these office parks were proposed years ago the surrounding residential neighborhoods were promised that they would be low-rise and generally operate Monday through Friday between 9AM to 5PM and not operate on weekends.  Until the Common Council modified the Comprehensive Plan in recent years the Plan clearly stated that apartment buildings should not be permitted in the outlying parts of the City.  Unlike the office buildings whose tenants come from all over the New York metro area and thus primarily use Westchester Avenue to access I-287, I-684 and the Hutchinson River Parkway the residents of the proposed apartment complex will more frequently utilize local streets such as Bryant Avenue and North Street to access local stores and other services.

This proposal together with 1133 Westchester Avenue would result in approximately 700 new housing units with an estimated additional population of at least 1,200 to 1,400 people.  As you are aware, the south end of the City has one, small firehouse serving the entire area.  Has the City done even the most basic analysis of what these new units plus the thousands of proposed units Downtown would mean in terms of additional costs to City services?

Permitting a rezoning here would ignore the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, which consistently encourages that such development occur downtown. “Residential development in and adjacent to the downtown, unlike the lower density housing in the Close In and Outer Area neighborhoods, should be viewed as part of a coherent economic development strategy”.  This goal is consistent with a letter from the Westchester County Planning Department which also recommended that multi-family buildings be situated Downtown.  We urge the Common Council to adhere to the County recommendation and the residential neighborhoods in the south end of the City and reject this proposal.

Very Truly Yours,

Board of Directors
The Gedney Association

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WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE APRIL 30 PROGRAM ON www.wpcommunitymedia.org INSTANTLY (Scroll down to White Plains Week on the VIDEO Wall.)

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THE CITIZENETREPORTER
JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS ON
THE NEW PARK ON 52 NORTH BROADWAY
DRESSES UP GOOD COUNSEL PROPERTY
CONCEALED WEAPON CHAOS?
SUPREME COURT EYES NEW YORK CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT — WESTCHESTER D.A. RESPONDS
REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER RUNS FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE SO FAR ONLY ONE REPUBLICAN WILL RUN FOR COMMON COUNCIL IN WHITE PLAINS
COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER
ON THE COVID TURNAROUND WEEK
HOW LONG BEFORE WESTCHESTER VACCINATES TO HERD IMMUNITY LEVEL

THE INFECTION RATE OF THOSE TESTED POSITIVE IN LAST THREE WEEKS —

3%

20TH YEAR OF WESTCHESTER’S MOST NEWS PROGRAM — JUST THE FACTS MA’AM –

FIGHTING FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY

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WESTCHESTER DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT: INVESTIGATE MOUNT VERNON POLICE for ALLEGED CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

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MIRIAM E. ROCHA

WPCNR WESTCHESTER LAW JOURNAL. From the Press Office of the Westchester County District Attorney. April 30, 2021:

Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah today publicly called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD) for pervasive and persistent alleged civil rights violations including unlawful strip searches, excessive use of force, and other misconduct.

“The Westchester District Attorney’s Office is engaged in ongoing criminal investigations of certain individual MVPD police officers,” DA Rocah said. “In the course of those investigations, based largely on publicly available information, we have found disturbing allegations of patterns of inappropriate and potentially unlawful conduct by several former and current members of the MVPD. We have provided information that we gathered in this respect to DOJ.”

“While our criminal investigations of individual officers continue, we are requesting that DOJ scrutinize the MVPD’s operations, training and policies to determine whether the MVPD is systematically violating peoples’ civil rights and, if so, to take action to address these matters,” DA Rocah added.

“Since taking office in January, 2020 my mandate has been transformation and accountability across city agencies including the police department. We are working hard to dismantle systemic issues and reform policing to ensure that our community is a safe place for all,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “Our administration referred multiple cases to the District Attorney for review and welcome DA Rocah’s request that DOJ add its resources to identify and address these issues for the benefit of our community.”

DA Rocah said that a DOJ investigation would focus on broader issues of civil rather than criminal law, which do not typically fall under the purview of the DA’s Office. She emphasized that the DA’s Office continues to work with the MVPD to investigate and prosecute crimes in Mount Vernon, and said this ongoing collaboration would continue without disruption during a DOJ investigation.

In March, DA Rocah wrote to MVPD Commissioner of Public Safety Glenn Scott regarding what appeared to be a routine practice of strip searches and body cavity searches of suspects. “My concern arises not from a single, isolated complaint, but from a number of them from 2012-20, making similar allegations of certain police officers illegally or inappropriately conducting these highly invasive searches without the high legal and/or factual predicate thresholds having been satisfied,” DA Rocah stated in the letter.

Since taking office in January, DA Rocah has greatly increased the focus of the Westchester DA’s Office on all forms of public corruption, including police misconduct. “All Westchester residents need to have confidence that they will be treated fairly and equitably. Public trust in our criminal justice system is critical to public safety and we must strengthen that confidence through any tools available to us.” 

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TURNAROUND WEEK IN WESTCHESTER: NEW COVID CASES DIP BELOW 100 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE OCT. 21, 2020. 1,360 New Cases in one week. HOSPITALIZATION RATE OF NEWLY INFECTED PERSONS APPEARS TO DECLINE to 3% AT PRESENT. AVERAGE NUMBER OF PERSONS TESTED POSITIVE STEADY UNDER 2% FOR 4 of LAST 7 DAYS

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NYS COVID TRACKER REPORTS WESTCHESTER COUNTY RATE OF NEW INFECTIONS WAS UNDER 2% A DAY FOR THE LAST 7 DAYS. THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS TESTING POSITIVE APRIL 20 TO 27 WAS 1.9%

WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. By John F. Bailey. APRIL 28, 2021 UPDATED 3:25 PM E.D.T.:

Daily new cases of coronavirus in Westchester County continue to decline according to the daily NY State Covid Tracker website reports on Sunday and Monday and Tuesday.

The Tuesday figures issued this afternoon show of 7,514 tested, 120 were positive–a percentage of 1.6%. It makes the week from last Tuesday to yesterday the first time since October 24, that Westchester has averaged 1.9% in 6 months.

From Monday to Monday, April 19 to 26, the number persons testing positive daily were

Monday, April 19: 181

Tuesday, April 20: 184

Wednesday, April 21: 216

Thursday, April 22: 212

Friday, April 23: 190

Saturday, April 24: 150

Sunday, April 25: 133

Monday, April 26; 94

TOTAL NEW WESTCHESTER CASES IN LAST WEEK: 1,360

On Sunday, 5,676 persons were tested in Westchester County and 2.3% (133 persons) tested positive.

Monday, 4,966 persons were tested and the number of persons found positive was 94, the lowest daily positive total since October 21, 2020, six months ago, with the positives being a 1.9%, getting back closer to last Saturday’s 1.5%.

The trend of lower infection rates being shown in such small testing universes (5,000 to 6,000 tests) is a very positive trend as the second wave of the coronavirus high tide of infections continues to receed. Another WPCNR observation: the lower testing numbers appear that fewer persons are finding reasons to be tested (such as posible covid symptoms).

Previously lower numbers of persons testing showed higher infection rates than testings of 9,000 to 12,000 persons, indicating the virus was infecting more persons 3.5% infection rates but now infections in small test quanities is showing a 2% infection rate meaning, in WPCNR’s observation that the combination of persons fully vaccinated is lowering the infection rate from the 400 new infections a day just one month ago to under 100 Monday, a 75% decline in the number of cases.

Another positive sign: The hospitalization rate of Westchester patients testing positive appears to have declined to 3% from the 4.3% previously reported in March by the County

County Executive George Latimer said Monday the number of persons hospitalized had declined to 150 in the county.

From April 4 to 10, there were 2,331 new positive cases.

From April 11 to 18 there were 2085 new positive cases.

The total of the two weeks April 4 through April 18 is 4,416. After 10 to 14 days for this cohort, if the number having to be hospitalized in the county was 3%, the county would have 132 hospitalized now, which is 18 less than the 150 hospitalizations reported by the County Executive yesterday. Assuming the 150 is a net of those discharged from having been admitted with covid and those newly admitted. currently hospitaliex The infection rate would be 3%, meaning persons in the two weeks from April 4 to April 18 are not suffering as severely as those previously.

Looking ahead the 1,360 infected with covid in the last week would produce at 3% infections, meaning 41 hospitalizations in two weeks, reducing hospitalizations more

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COUNTY PARK OPENING DATES

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Westchester County Parks are Beginning to Reopen for the 2021 Season From Westchester County Chairman of the Board of Legislators, Benjamin Boykin


Beginning Memorial Day:
Playland Beach will be open during weekends through June 25th will be open seven days a week after June 25th
Croton Point Beach will be open during weekends through June 25th will be open Wednesday-Saturday after June 25th

Beginning June 25:

Saxon Woods, Tibbets Brook, and Wilson Woods Parks will be open seven days a week

Playland Park will reopen to the public beginning June 26th, and will be open as follows: Wednesday to Sunday between 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm The 2021 summer season will run from June 25th to Labor Day Park reservations are recommended the day of, as park capacity will be 25% Please note that Playland Pool will be closed for renovation until Summer 2022 Please forward this E-News to family and friends who may be interested in this information. 

en Español Los parques del condado de Westchester están comenzando a reabrir para la temporada 2021A partir del lunes 31 de mayo, Día de la Conmemoración (en inglés Memorial Day):La playa de Playlandestará abierto durante los fines de semana hasta el 25 de junioestará abierto los siete días de la semana después del 25 de junioPlaya de Croton Pointestará abierto durante los fines de semana hasta el 25 de junioestará abierto de miércoles a sábado después del 25 de junioA partir del 25 de junio:Los parques de Saxon Woods, Tibbets Brook y Wilson Woods estarán abiertos los siete días de la semanaEl parque de Playland volverá a abrir al público a partir del 26 de junio y estará abierto de la siguiente manera:De miércoles a domingo de 12:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m. y de 5:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m.La temporada de verano de 2021 se extenderá desde el 25 de junio hasta el lunes, 6 de septiembre, Día del Trabajo (en inglés Labor Day)Se recomienda hacer reservaciones para el parque el día de que asistirá, ya que la capacidad del parque será del 25%Tenga en cuenta que la piscina de Playland permanecerá cerrada para renovaciones hasta el verano de 2022Envíe estas noticias electrónicas a familiares y amigos que puedan estar interesados ​​en esta información.
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BAILEY ON WVOX THIS MORNING: NEW PUBLIC PARK ON NORTH BROADWAY PROPOSED MORE THAN JUST A DEVEOPMENT–ENHANCES 52 NORTH BROADWAY SENIOR-ASSISTED LIVING-TOWN HOUSE PROJECT; WHITE PLAINS, WESTCHESTER AND 6 MID-HUDSON COUNTIES’ “TILLS” OVERFLOW WITH CASH. COUNTY ECONOMIES “MARCH” COMEBACK.

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JOHN BAILEY, THE CITIZENETREPORTER’S LIVE BROADCAST THIS MORNING ON WVOX 1460 WITH DENNIS AND TONNY “THE TWO FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE ON THE RADIO” ON THEIR GOOD MORNING WESTCHESTER PROGRAM. MR. BAILEY IS HEARD WEEKLYTUESDAYS AT 7:50 A.M. EDT AT 1460 AM OR WORLDWIDE ON WVOX.COM MR. BAILEY’S WEEKLY REPORT HAS BEEN ON WVOX FOR 6 YEARS. HERE IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THIS MORNING’S BROADCAST

“GOOD MORNING FROM WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA WHERE ITS 46 DEGREES AND CLOUDY WPCNR DEGREES. .

LAST NIGHT AT THE COMMON COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING, THE DEVELOPER OF THE GOOD COUNSEL PROPERTY INTRODUCED A NEW 2 ACRE OPEN SPACE PUBLIC PARK REDESIGN OF THE NORTH BROADWAY ENTRANCE TO THEIR SENIOR CARE-SENIOR LIVING-TOWN HOUSE PROJECT BEING PLANNED FOR THE SITE. THE PARK FEATURES SLOPED WALKING PATHS, OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE, SPECIOUS PUBLIC EVENT SPACE FOR MARKETS, CONCERTS. IT IS THE LARGEST (2 ACRES) ACTIVE PUBLIC SPACE PROPOSED FOR WHITE PLAINS IN 20 YEARS. COMMON COUNCIL IMPRESSED.

VIEW INTO THE SENIOR-ASSISTED lIVING, SENIOR LIVING-TOWNHOUSE PROJECT FROM PORTION OF THE PARK
OVERVIEW OF LOCATION OF THE “PUBLIC SPACE PROPOSED”
SHOWING LOCATION ON THE PROPERTY AND THE OVERHEAD DETAI
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CAN YOU HEAR THE CASH REGISTERS RINGING EVERYWHERE IN WESTCHESTER, DENNIS?

LAST MONTH CUSTOMERS CAME IN ACROSS THE MID HUDSON REGION AND THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY HAS BEGUN.

IN WHITE PLAINS SALES TAX DOLLARS ROSE 3-1/2% OVER MARCH OF 2020—THE FIRST TIME IN 10 MONTHS WHITE PLAINS HAS POSTED AN INCREASE SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS BLANKETED THE COUNTY. IT WAS A $128,000 INCREASE BUT IT IS A SOLID TURNAROUND.

NEW ROCHELLE ROSE 18.5% UP 546,000 TO $3 MILLION 500 THOUSAND; MOUNT VERNON ROSE 38%, $753,000 TO $2 MILLION 753,000 YONKERS HAD A 25% GAIN OF $1,344,000 TOO, SO THE SPENDING IS STARTING SLOWLY

ALL AROUND THE MID-HUDSON REGION THE ECONOMY IS COMING BACK—WESTCHESTER GAINED 18.3% IN SALES TAX DOLLARS, UP 11 MILLION 800 THOUSAND ON TARGET AFTER 1 QUARTER FOR $713 MILLION IN SALES TAXES—BUT IT IS EARLY YET. MAY THE MONEY MOMENTUM CONTINUE.

DUTCHESS COUNTY GAINED  69% IN SALE TAX MONEY– $10.881,000; ORANGE COUNTY UP  20% (5.2 MILLION IN MARCH; ULSTER  UP 28%, SULLIVAN 57%, PUTNAM 35% AND ROCKLAND 20% THE NUMBERS ARE ROBUST HEADING INTO APRIL WHICH SHOULD BE AVAILBE PERHAPS END OF MONTH. PEOPLE HER SHOPPING AND FLOCKING TO NEW RO AND YONKERS…NOT SO MUCH WHITE PLAINS…

MAYOR ROACH IN HIS WEEKLY COVID MESSAGE ANNOUNCED THERE ARE CURRENTLY AN ESTIMATED 202 ACTIVE CASES IN OUR CITY, DOWN 49 FROM A WEEK AGO. OVER THE LAST 7 DAYS WE ARE AVERAGING 13 NEW CASES PER DAY. 

 SUNSHINE PHARMACY RIGHT HERE IN WHITE PLAINS WILL BE HOSTING A MODERNA VACCINATION CLINIC THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 29 TH , 3 – 7 PM, AT THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCATED AT 65 MITCHELL PLACE. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, BUT – GOOD NEWS: WALK-INS ARE ALSO WELCOME! GO TO: HEALTHMARTCOVIDVACCINE.COM, TO ACCESS THE REGISTRATION FORM IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. AS WITH ALL OF THE VACCINATION SITES, THE VACCINE IS FREE. 

WE THOUGHT WE HAD REACHED A TURNING POINT LAST WEEK IN COVID SPREADING AND THIS LAST 7 DAYS HAVE PROVEN THAT THERE IS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MORE PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATIONS SLOWING THE COVID SPREAD

SUNDAY THE INFECTION RATE FOR COVID WAS DOWN TO 2.8%. ON SATURDAY WE HIT A 1.5% INFECTION RATE THE LOWEST THE COUNTY HAS SEEN SINCE OCTOBER 24 SIX MONTHS AGO. WHEN IT WAS 1.4.

WE HAVE REDUCED NUMBER OF INFECTIONS PER DAY FROM ABOUT 400 A DAY ON APRIL 1 TO AN AVERAGE 280 PER DAY 133 SUNDAY AND 150 SATURDAY. THE VACCINEATIONS AND PEOPLE’S BEHAVIOR HAVE REDUCED THE RATE OF SPREAD 75% IN ONE MONTH.

HOW LONG BEFORE INFECTIONS ARE A THING OF THE PAST?

IN THE MID-HUDSON REGION HAS A POPULATION OF 3 MILLION OVER WESTCHESTER, DUTCHESS, ORANGE, PUTNAM, ROCKLAND, SULLIVAN AND ULSTER COUNTIES, THERE ARE CURRENTLY 631,607 (21%) FULLY VACCINATED WITH 78,302 BEING VACCINATED WITH SECOND SHOTS A WEEK., 8,744 A DAY. WPCNR RECKONS THE MID-HUDSON REGION, 7 COUNTIES, INCLUDING WESTCHESTER, COULD BE FULLY VACCINATED IN 31 WEEKS WHICH WOULD MEAN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER.

IN THE LAST THREE DAYS WE CONTINUE TO SEE COVID INFECTIONS DECLINE–1.9% INFECTION RATE THURSDAY, AND 2% ON FRIDAY — AND SATURDAY A 1.5% INFECTION RATE ON 10,000 PERSONS TESTED. THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS VACCINES IS TURNING BACK THE COVID TIED FOR THE LAST 24 DAYS. WITH JUST 150 INFECTIONS SATURDAY.

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SUPREME COURT WILL EXAMINE NEW YORK STATE “CONCEALED CARRY LAW” DEMANDING PERSONS WISHING TO CARRY A HANDGUN OUTSIDE THE HOME “PROPER CAUSE” TO CARRY A GUN

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WPCNR LAW JOURNAL. From the National Rife Association. April 26, 2021:

 The U.S. Supreme Court announced today it will hear an NRA-backed case challenging New York’s restrictive concealed-carry-licensing regime. This sets the stage for the Supreme Court to affirm what most states already hold as true, that there is an individual right to self-defense outside of the home.

This case challenges New York’s requirement that applicants demonstrate “proper cause” to carry a firearm. New York regularly uses this requirement to deny applicants the right to carry a firearm outside of their home. The NRA believes that law-abiding citizens should not be required to prove they are in peril to receive the government’s permission to exercise this constitutionally protected right.

Speaking on the Court’s decision, Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA-ILA said, “The court rarely takes Second Amendment cases. Now it’s decided to hear one of the most critical Second Amendment issues. We’re confident that the court will tell New York and the other states that our Second Amendment right to defend ourselves is fundamental, and doesn’t vanish when we leave our homes.”

In addition to ruling on this statute, this case will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to clarify the precedent that it has created surrounding the Second Amendment. It has been over a decade since the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to have a handgun in the home for self-defense in District of Columbia v. Heller. In 2010, the court also ruled that the Second Amendment is a fundamental right that applies to the states in McDonald v. City of Chicago.

It is hard to overstate how important this case is. The decision will affect the laws in many states that currently restrict carrying a firearm outside of the home. NRA-ILA is working hard to defend your constitutional rights and is prepared to argue this case in order to protect the rights of Americans everywhere.

The case is called New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

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