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(White Plains, NY) – Kenneth W. Jenkins was officially sworn in as Westchester County Executive during an Inauguration Ceremony held at Purchase College, marking the start of a new three-year term in office.

The ceremony reflected both continuity and transition, celebrating the County Executive’s leadership over the past year and setting the stage for the work ahead. Jenkins took the oath of office administered by the Honorable Anne E. Minihan, pledging to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of New York and the Charter of Westchester County.

The Inauguration also included the swearing-in of County Clerk Thomas Roach and County Legislators Jennifer Puja and Anant Nambiar, along with invocations and benedictions representing the County’s diverse faith communities, congratulatory messages from state and federal leaders, and a year-end video highlighting accomplishments across Westchester County government.

In his inaugural remarks, County Executive Jenkins reaffirmed his commitment to fiscal responsibility, public safety, infrastructure investment, environmental stewardship and delivering results for residents in every community across Westchester.

Jenkins said: “In my first year as County Executive, I’ve been guided by a simple principle: leadership that listens, acts and delivers for the people of Westchester County. We’ve strengthened our financial footing, invested in housing and infrastructure, expanded educational and economic opportunities, and made real progress on public safety — all while staying true to the values that unite us. This is just the beginning. Together, we will continue to build a Westchester where opportunity is real, government is responsive, and every community thrives.  We’ve proven that responsible leadership works.”

Roach said: “I am honored to have been sworn in as Westchester County Clerk and grateful to the residents of Westchester County for placing their faith and trust in me to serve our community.”

 

Puja said: “It is an incredible honor to serve as a Westchester County Legislator for the district I’ve called home my entire life. I’m grateful for the trust that residents have placed in me. Together, rooted in shared history and united by a common future, we will move this district forward and in unity.” 

 

Nambiar: “I am very honored to be elected to represent District 7 on the Westchester County Board of Legislators. I’m also very proud to be the first South Asian and Hindu elected, and look forward to working with my colleagues and the County Executive and team to solve the difficult, important problems that our residents prioritize.”

The ceremony concluded with a reception celebrating the newly sworn-in officials and their continued service to the people of Westchester County.

Jenkins previously served a one-year term following a special election.

This swearing-in begins a full three-year term, rather than the traditional four-year term, as a result of changes to New York State election law that adjusted the County Executive election cycle. Under the revised law, the 2026–2028 term aligns Westchester County’s executive elections with the State’s updated voting calendar.

 

WPCNR AULD LANG SYNE. By John F. Bailey. December 31, 2025:

This last day of the year not only ends the year, but it is also David Chong’s last day as Commissioner of Public Safety in White Plains.

Commissioner Chong’s greatest achievement as Commissioner the last 15 years is molding a police and fire department that is respected, appreciated, depended upon with confidence by the residents of this city  of all walks of life, resulting in a city where crimes have been substantially lowered the last 15 years.

He has diversified the police and fire departments expanding the number of women officers and officers of diverse backgrounds.

He created a division expert and experienced to handle domestic violence and crimes against women with sensitivity, counseling and trauma conciousness,  which are relentlessly promoted on the White Plains Department of Public Safety website.

The police are so respected in White Plains that no citizen is fearful of calling the police for any personal or neighborhood matter that they observe. Observers and witnesses  trust the police to talk to them during investigations.

The  Police number for general calls (not emergency, which is 911) 914-422-6111 number always answers and the appropriate division speedily directed to.

The website has recent police blotters, how the police can help you and is at https://whiteplainspublicsafety.com/

When an officer on patrol stops you  in White Plains they are courteous, cordial, polite and nonaggressive. The officer displays no “attitude.” It is the David Chong way.

The officer, He or She are poised and demonstrate quiet composure. If a ticket is in order, it is presented with professional restraint without opinion or embarrassing comments.  They enforce without embarrassment. They reflect their leader.

One of the most significant achievements of Commissioner Chong’s tour of duty in White Plains, in my opinion, as Commissioner was the record the police  have compiled of not shooting or killing any persons in the city with their weapons in 14 years from 2011, the date of the fatal Chamberlain shooting.

I salute his department for this impressive record of incident management without use of firearms.

Mr. Chong’s talent and leadership of the department that has through his persuasive experience and obvious training cultivated it and reflected down through his staff has created a city-friendly law enforcement operation.

He changed the perception and reception and interaction  with the Department with  the people. Mr. Chong instilled a feeling of confidence in the police where people will speak with the police during  investigations leading to quick apprehension and arrests.

He leaves his watch in White Plains today.

Thank you Commissioner Chong.

Your record says how good you are.

When I first met David Chong when he was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety to newly appointed Commissioner of Public Safety Frank Strawb, it was during the first ball drop during the Delfino Administration. Mr. Chong was with his officers on crowd control and  he said to me as he was turning to go closer to officers near the festive crowd:

“In White Plains, we lead from the front.”

That is what Mr. Chong always did for us.