2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)
The Governor Introduces new Police Requirements linked to discharging their weapns. He will sign today at the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.After 107 Days–Governor analyzes New York State today
WPCNR MONDAY GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO BRIEFING.From the Governor’s Press Office. June 15, 2020:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed policing reform legislation requiring state and local law enforcement officers to report within six hours when they discharge their weapon (S.2575-B/A.10608); requiring courts to compile and publish racial and other demographic data of all low-level offenses (S.1830-C/A.10609); and requiring police officers to provide medical and mental health attention to individuals in custody (S.6601-A/A.8226).
“Police reform is long overdue in this state and this nation, and New York is once again leading the way and enacting real change to end the systemic discrimination that exists in our criminal justice and policing systems,” Governor Cuomo said. “These critical reforms will help improve the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve and take us one step closer to righting the many injustices minority communities have faced because of a broken and unfair system.”
Police Statistics and Transparency Act (S.1830-C/A.10609)
The Police Statistics and Transparency Act – or STAT Act – requires courts to compile and publish racial and other demographic data of all low-level offenses, including misdemeanors and violations. The data collected must be made available online and updated monthly. The new law also requires police departments to report any arrest-related death to the Department of Criminal Justice Services and to submit annual reports on arrest-related deaths to the Governor and the Legislature.
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER.From Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. June 14, 2019:
Recently, four black bear sightings were reported in Hastings, Scarsdale, Greenburgh (Boulder Ridge) and in White Plains.
The sightings occurred within a period of four days.
The New York State DEC will not remove bears from our neighborhoods unless they feel they pose a danger to residents. When I spoke to the NYS DEC they mentioned that we can expect more bear sightings in southern & central Westchester in the future.
Some residents have questions or concerns about black bears. At the Greenburgh Town Board meeting on June 24th at 7 PM, Emily Carrollo, a wildlife biologist at the NYS DEC, will speak and answer questions and explain DEC policies.
If you have questions that you would like asked at the meeting please e mail them to me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. If you would like to participate in the meeting (which will be held remotely via zoom), send me an e mail and we will send you a link to the meeting.
After the meeting is over the town of Greenburgh will prepare a you tube video and share it with residents whenever black bear concerns come up.
WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Benjamin Boykin. June 13, 2020:
On Friday, June 12, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a series of police reforms passed earlier in the week by the state legislature. This is transformative and historic.
These reforms included a repeal of a measure that shielded police disciplinary records from public review, which 16 members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators had urged passage of in a letter to our state legislative delegation.
The “Say Their Name” Reform Agenda package was passed following the killing of George Floyd and an ongoing pattern of police brutality against minority communities across the nation. These landmark policing reforms will help reduce inequality in policing and reimagine the state’s criminal justice system. The reforms include:
Allowing for transparency of prior disciplinary records of law enforcement officers by repealing 50-a of the civil rights law;
Banning chokeholds by law enforcement officers;
Prohibiting false race-based 911 reports; and
Designating the Attorney General as an independent prosecutor for matters relating to the civilian deaths.
In addition, on June 12, the Governor signed an Executive Order requiring local police agencies to develop a plan that reinvents and modernizes police strategies and programs in their community based on community input. Each police agency’s reform plan must address policies, procedures, practices and deployment, including, but not limited to use of force.
Police forces must adopt a plan by April 1, 2021 to be eligible for future state funding and certify that they have:
Engaged stakeholders in a public and open process on policing strategies and tools;
Presented a plan, by chief executive and head of the local police force, to the public for comment;
After consideration of any comments, presented such plan to the local legislative body (council or legislature as appropriate) which has approved such plan (by either local law or resolution); and
If such local government does not certify the plan, the police force may not be eligible to receive future state funding.
These welcome reforms are overdue and we look forward at the County Board of Legislators to doing our part to implement them and continue to work further to ensure that policing in Westchester is fair and equitable.
Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in nearly two dozen states that have begun reopening, and 15 states have seen record highs in the past two days. As New York reopens, however, we are continuing to see a decline in the number of daily new COVID cases. One remarkable fact: Our state, which once had the highest number of cases in the nation, now has the nation’s lowest rate of transmission (Rt) — at just 0.77. An Rt of 1 or higher means that COVID-19 is increasing — an Rt of below 1 means it is decreasing. Why is our state one of the rare few where case numbers continue to decline even as the state reopens? I believe it’s because of New Yorkers’ discipline and caution — including the widespread wearing of face masks. We must continue to be disciplined. If we stay the course, we will avoid the “second waves” that other countries are now grappling with.
Photo of the Day: Joined by legislators and advocates, I signed the “Say Their Name” Agenda Package to help restore trust between police and the communities they serve. (Photo by Kevin Coughlin)
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. The news is still good regarding testing. Yesterday, we tested an extraordinary 72,395 New Yorkers for COVID. Of those tested, only 822 people were positive — or 1.1% of the total. This is great news: Even as New York has increased testing over the past few weeks, the number and percentage of positive results has stayed extremely low.
2. The deadline for the special enrollment period for health insurance is Monday, June 15th. New Yorkers who lost their health insurance this year can apply for a health plan through the NY State of Health Marketplace.
3. This Sunday, June 14th, is World Blood Donor Day. This is a day to raise awareness of the need for safe blood donations, to thank those who have donated and to encourage others to consider donating. Due to Coronavirus, there is a shortage of blood, and blood donations are urgently needed across New York State. Learn how and where you can donate at http://ny.gov/donateblood.
4. The number of COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Yesterday total hospitalizations fell to 1,898, from 2,042 the day before. Sadly we lost 42 New Yorkers to the virus. Our thoughts are with their families.
5. Progress on police reform. Today I signed landmark legislation to improve transparency in police disciplinary records and ban police chokeholds, among other reforms that will help restore trust and improve the relationship between police and the communities they serve.
6. Remember to respond to the Census. Every New Yorker can now respond to the Census — it is safe, easy and can be done online from the comfort of your own home. See the response rate in your city or town here and if you haven’t already, complete the Census today at my2020census.gov.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Finley, the 6-year-old Golden Retriever from Canandaigua, NY, who was recognized by Guinness World Records for being able to hold a record six tennis balls in his mouth with no assistance, finally received his certification. He even broke his own record and is able to hold seven tennis balls in his mouth. Congratulations again to this very good boy on his world record.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
JOHN BAILEY AND JIM BENEROFE AND THE NEWS ARE BACK
BENEROFE IS BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAINMTA ROLLS AGAIN (WPW PHOTO by Brenda Starr of The Flash)CATHERINE RINALDI PRESIDENT OF THE MTA INTERVIEWED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER WITH NEWS ON MONDAY’S RETURN TO FULL SERVICE COMING UPMONDAY THE 15GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO TELLS US HOW THE REOPENING IS GOING ACROSS NEW YORKWHITE PLAINS NY USA GOES TO PHASE 2 AND THE PEOPLE LOVE OUTDOOR DINING.ABSENTEE BALLOT MAIL IN TIME– DON’T LET YOUR BALLOT BE TOSSED OUT. MAIL THIS WEEKEND. WPW RUNS DOWN THE PRIMARIES JUNE 23GOVERNOR CUOMO OPENS UP A LAGUARDIA THAT MAKES IT AN OUT OF THIS WORLD AIRPORTJIM BENEROFE’S FLORIDA TODAY REPORT — WHAT’S GOING DOWN IN FLA!
SEE THE DYNAMIC DUO MONDAY AT 7 ON FIOS COUNTYWIDE CH.45 AND ON WHITE PLAINS CABLEVISION CH. 76 AND INSTANTLY RIGHT NOW AT(JUST SCROLL DOWN THE VIDEO BOARD TO “WHITE PLAINS WEEK”
COMMUTERS A FAR CRY FROM PRE-COVID RIDERSHIP AWAITED THE 9 AM EXPRESS TO GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL THIS MORNING. MOST WEAR WEARING MASK. TRAINS TO MANHATTAN TODAY WERE RUNNING ON THE HOUR. TRAINS FROM NEW YORK TO WHITE PLAINS AND POINTS NORTH WERE ARRIVING ON THE QUARTER HOUR AND 3/4 HOUR. SCHEDULES WERE POSTED ON ELECTRONIC BOARDS. NO PRINTED SCHEDULES WERE AVAILABLE. MTA OFFICIALS WERE THERE HANDING OUT SANITARY MASKS TO THOSE WHO DID NOT HAVE THEM. WPCNR WAS TOLD THE RAILROAD WAS RUNNING AT 20% OF NORMAL SERVICE WITH MORE TRAINS TO BE ADDED MONDAY. SCHEDULES ARE ON WWW.MTA.INFO.COM AND AVAILABLE BY CALL 511. AT 9 AM THIS MORNING MAIN STREET, USUALLY BUMPER TO BUMBER WAS WIDE OPEN.
GOVERNOR CUOMO SHOWED TRENDS OF POST REOPENING NEW COVID-19 POSITIVE TEST RESULTS IN MIDHUDSON VALLEY AND NYC AND NASSAU SUFFOLK TODAY NOTING NO SHARP INCREASE YET.
GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO CUTS THE RIBBON ON THE NEW LAGUARDIA AIR TERMINAL OPENED TODAY, STARTED 4 YEARS AGO — OPEN TO THE PUBLIC on Saturday.Rick Cotton, Exe3cutive Director, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey showcases the highlights of the spanking new terminal in this 5 minute presentation at today’s briefing.
From the Official news release:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of the brand-new, state-of-the-art Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall at LaGuardia Airport, the biggest milestone to date in the airport’s ongoing $8 billion transformation into a unified 21st century facility. The project – one of the largest public private partnerships in aviation history – includes the demolition and replacement of every terminal and concourse except for the historically landmarked Marine Air Terminal.
The spacious, 850,000-square-foot, four-story Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall will provide New York’s travelers with a 21st century airport experience that includes local concessions, large, modern restrooms and a New York-inspired shopping district. The new Arrivals and Departures Hall also showcases permanent public art installations curated by the Public Art Fund, enhancing the passenger experience and underscoring New York’s global position as a beacon for arts and culture.
The new Terminal B will open to the public on Saturday, June 13th and serve American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Air Canada. By virtue of its size, the terminal presents greater opportunities to move passengers more safely and efficiently with improved distancing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including more space for check-in, security and baggage claim, along with new innovations in contactless technology and an increased focus on cleanliness and disinfection.
“The opening of the new Arrivals and Departures Hall at Terminal B is the biggest milestone to date in the transformation of LaGuardia Airport into a world-class transportation hub that is worthy of New York State,” Governor Cuomo said. “As we continue to upgrade and modernize this airport for the 21st century, this new state-of-the-art hall will offer passengers a unique travel experience with new concessions, traveler amenities and art installations by four of the world’s leading artists, while increasing space for passengers to move more safely and efficiently during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The opening of the new arrivals and departures hall follows the openings of the new Terminal B parking garage in February 2018, the first new gates and concourse in Terminal B in December 2018, and the first new gates and concourse in Terminal C in October 2019.
A New Terminal B Experience
With today’s opening, arriving at and departing from LaGuardia’s Terminal B will be an entirely transformed experience. The new Terminal B departures level is dramatically larger and offers four check-in islands with 75 individual check-in kiosks and a central oversize bag check-in station. There are 16 designated security lanes — three times the space for security checks. Dynamic signage in the TSA queue displays passenger wait times and allows queue zones to be adjusted based on passenger demand.
Security screening at LaGuardia’s new Terminal B now includes three state-of-the-art technology systems to expedite screening while prioritizing the safety of passengers. Checked baggage is screened more efficiently using an Artificial Intelligence-based, robotic assisted convenience system which quickly troubleshoots and diverts high-risk baggage for deeper inspection. Passengers with carry-on baggage will notice a new automated bin sequencing and retrieval system as they go through the TSA check point. New body screening and metal detecting equipment is user friendly, has larger screening areas that eliminate the need to raise arms overhead and features the most advanced imaging technology.
At the arrivals level, nine new large baggage carrousels offer additional space for distancing at baggage pick up.
There are 17 new large bathrooms across the new Arrivals and Departures Hall, featuring touch-free entry, sinks and hand dryers, to create greater opportunities for distancing when compared to the old Central Terminal Building.
Concessions
The terminal is now be home to an outstanding variety of concessions including many familiar businesses that are located in New York. To enable customers to shop and dine while waiting for their flights, concessions are centralized post-security in a main commercial district of the new Arrivals and Departures Hall with 17 best-in-class retail, food and beverage amenities. Local favorites like Eli’s Essentials by New York food legend Eli Zabar, Chef Marc Forgione’s new Mulberry Street restaurant, Junior’s Cheesecake, Brooklyn Diner, Think Coffee, Tony + Benny’s Authentic Brooklyn Pizza, Hill Country, Texas-themed BBQ founded in NYC, NYC Aglow and Bowery Bay Shops offer locals and tourists a taste of New York.
Public Art
The new Arrivals and Departures Hall comes to life through four permanent public art installations commissioned by Public Art Fund in partnership with LaGuardia Gateway Partners. Artists Jeppe Hein, Sabine Hornig, Laura Owens, and Sarah Sze have created four pieces designed specifically for the new facility which speak to the enduring spirit, sense of wonder and vitality that New York embodies.
Cleaning
All areas of the terminal are being cleaned to the highest CDC cleaning standards. High touch surface cleaning teams are on-site and visible by the branded vests they wear. There is digital signage throughout the terminal displaying COVID-19 related safety measures including the face covering requirement, distancing guidance and reminders to wash hands frequently. TSA officers will wear face masks and follow strict procedures about glove use and sanitization when handling passenger baggage. Contactless food ordering and delivery is available using the At Your Gate App.
LGP and the Port Authority continue to test the latest technology to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19, including testing touchless technology at SITA Check in Counters and UV cleaning technology on escalator handrails.
