THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 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)

Police Group: Microstamping SemiAutomatics. Extended Repeater Sentencing

Posted on March 23, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the Law Enforcement Council. March 23, 2009: The New York State Law Enforcement Council (LEC) unveiled its legislative agenda for 2009.

The legislative priorities are 1) requiring that all new semi-automatic weapons be equipped with microstamping technology, 2) providing stricter penalties for identity thieves, 3) expanding the DNA database 4) enhancing protections for police officers, and 5) creating a felony for serious repeat misdemeanants.

The Law Enforcement Council is mindful of the budgetary constraints that the state is operating within and has developed these legislative priorities accordingly. “The legislative proposals provide ways to safeguard our citizens without expending substantial resources,” said Robert Morgenthau, District Attorney for New York County and counsel to the Law Enforcement Council.

Microstamping

Microstamping is an inexpensive tool that will help law enforcement solve and deter gun crimes. By etching a code onto the firing pin and barrel of a semi-automatic pistol, microstamping provides an easy-to-follow trail back to the purchaser of the weapon. The Law Enforcement Council supports the requirement that all semi-automatic pistols manufactured by, or delivered to, any licensed firearms dealer in New York State be capable of microstamping.

Identity Theft

In 2008, the New York State Legislature passed a set of measures designed to provide consumer protection for New Yorkers targeted by identity thieves. The Law Enforcement Council now asks the Legislature to enact laws that will help deter — and effectively prosecute — identity thieves. Some of the enhancements to the identity theft laws include:

• Enhancing penalties for Identity Theft and Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information by creating B and C felonies for these crimes based on the dollar-value of the theft/fraud and the number of victims affected.

• Expanding jurisdiction for crimes committed in connection with identity theft, such as Grand Larceny, Forgery, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.

• Including Identity Theft and Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information as predicate crimes for Enterprise Corruption prosecutions.

DNA Database

DNA is the modern-day fingerprint; crimes are solved by matching DNA recovered at a crime scene to DNA taken from a known individual. Yet while fingerprints are taken from all suspects on arrest, DNA can only be collected for a specific subset of crimes — and not until after conviction. Expanding the DNA database to include DNA samples from suspects of all crimes at the time of arrest serves two critical purposes. First, it helps pinpoint suspects, reducing false leads and saving critical, limited resources. Second, it helps eliminate mistaken identification and speeds the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals.

Police Protection

Police officers knowingly put themselves in physical danger every day. And when suspects intentionally disobey the lawful commands of an officer or subject officers to unwanted physical contact, there are often serious ramifications to officers and bystanders. Yet, in those situations prosecutors may not have the appropriate laws needed to prosecute offenders. The Law Enforcement Council supports penalties for individuals who fail to heed or obey a police officer’s lawful command; subject police officers to unwanted physical contact while they are performing their official duties; or attempt, while driving, to elude a police officer’s order to pull over and comply.

Repeat Misdemeanants

Career criminals know how to work the system. And repeat misdemeanants — people with 20, 60, or more than 100 misdemeanors on their rap sheets — know exactly how much money they can steal, illicit substances they can possess, or other crimes they can commit before their crimes rise to the level of a felony. Misdemeanors are only punishable by up to one year, but more likely only a matter of days, in local jails. There is no commensurate increase in punishment for numerous successive misdemeanors, as there is with predicate felons. The Law Enforcement Council recommends that serious repeat misdemeanants be subject to a felony charge to close the revolving door of justice.

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Woman Found Murdered in Renovated Home on Harmon Street in Battle Hill

Posted on March 23, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. Special to WPCNR. March 23, 2009 UPDATED 10:30 A.M. E.D.T.: Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Daniel Jackson confirmed to WPCNR moments ago that the body of a woman, considered a homicide, who has been identified, was found in a home being renovated on Harmon Street in the vicinity of School Street on Battle Hill late Sunday night. The Commissioner reports:

The White Plains Police are investigating an apparent homicide victim located in a house under renovation at 14 Harmon St. shortly before 10 p.m. last night. The identity of the female victim is known but not being released at this time. As details become available for release, we will do so.

Lectric Message Board will be Proposed to Common Council

Posted on March 23, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. (News Release). March 23, 2009: White Plains Message Center will be proposed to the Common Council shortly, for installation on the façade of 14 Mamaroneck Avenue. It will enable the City of White Plains, community organizations, and businesses to be on the forefront of communications technology in reaching the 50,000 daily visitors that pass by the property each day. Long time White Plains resident and attorney Keith J. Ahlers and his business partner and White Plains attorney, Michael A. Calano, will be meeting with the Common Council this spring to discuss a code amendment that will accommodate the installation of White Plains Message Center.

A Computer Message Board similar to the new $104,000 Loucks Field Scoreboard installed at the high school in December will be proposed by local businesspersons to overlook Main Street and Mamaroneck Avenues in Renaissance Square.

White Plains Message Center will position White Plains among the few cities in the country with cutting edge mass communication resources. The Message Center will offer residents, workers, and visitors a new medium for getting up-to-date information, news, live feed performances, and emergency notifications at a convenient location in downtown White Plains. People looking for details on concerts, performances, and special events can look toward White Plains Message Center rather than going through several different sources for the information they need.

The project would be of great benefit to White Plains Police and Fire Departments, the White Plains Business Improvement District (BID), White Plains Performing Arts Center, Westchester Arts Council, and other non-profits/charities who will be able to use the White Plains Message Center.

White Plains Message Center would utilize a transparent LED (light emitting diode) latest technology media system called Mediamesh® and will be powered by solar energy. Made of stainless-steel architectural mesh with embedded LED lights, Mediamesh® can display high-definition still and moving text, graphics and full-color video imagery that are clearly visible to passersby during daytime and evening hours.

The message center proposed size is 65 feet wide by 33.5 feet long (2,000 sq. ft.) and will be installed flush with the building and 18 feet off the ground, at the second-floor level of the building. (It will be able to withstand adverse weather conditions, including wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.) Proposed hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 6:00am to 10:00pm; Friday, 6:00am to midnight; Saturday, 8:00am to midnight; and Sunday, 8:00am to 10:00pm.

“White Plains Message Center is a winning proposition for White Plains,” says Charlie Norris, a longtime White Plains resident. “It will be an unrivaled resource for reaching people with up-to-the minute news and information.”

The Message Center will be sponsored by advertising and not cost the city anything for operation or maintenance. The City of White Plains will be allocated time to communicate with residents, the downtown workforce, and visitors; broadcast cultural performances; and coordinate messages from community organizations. Additionally, White Plains BID members will be offered special co-op advertising. With summer just around the corner, White Plains Message Center offers the city and cultural organizations a way to publicize activities at Renaissance Square and add to the vibrancy of the Renaissance Fountain Plaza as the gathering and focal point of downtown White Plains.

The White Plains Message Center project is being spearheaded by business partners Keith J. Ahlers, and Michael A. Calano, both located at 14 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.

A demo video is available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gTcPwBqAM

The Forgotten Track of the MTA Bailout: Latimer Objects!

Posted on March 22, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. By Assemblyman George Latimer. March 22, 2009: The print and electronic media of New York City has been focused, non-stop, on the impending mass transit crisis ahead if the State Legislature (“Albany” in shorthand) does not approve the Ravitch Plan to bailout the MTA. That plan, has, as on its express track, a plan to place tolls on East River and Harlem River bridges that have long been free – the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, Queensboro Bridges, et. al.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver offered a compromise plan, lowering the prospective tolls from $5 to $2 to satisfy the outer borough outrage, but as yet, some number of Senators and Assembly members are unconvinced. Their constituents abhor the toll plan. In return, the editorial boards and columnists assert that only a reckless public official would risk mass transit calamity by fighting the toll plan.

In all of this, there is been a wilfull disregard for the impacts of the other, “forgotten” track of the MTA bailout – the imposition of a payroll tax that would equally hit all employers throughout the MTA region, from Montauk in Suffolk County to Middletown in Orange County.

By calling this levy a “mobility” tax, the Ravitch Plan softens the sound but not the impact of the action. It assesses $0.33 on every $100. of payroll paid for every employer – including every school district, every local government, every hospital, every not-for-profit entity. The rate appears to create a low impact. But for the New Rochelle School District it is an unfunded mandate of nearly $400,000; for the Mamaroneck School District, it is a $200,000+ charge. And not merely for school districts: for all the employers mentioned, as well as every corporation and business large or small. At a time where some want to cap school taxes, others want to end County government, and all are outraged by the cost of rising property taxes, we are prepared to add yet one more burden that will increase our property taxes.

I spoke recently with the executive of a small business – under 20 employees – who said this is one more hit on his bottom line…and it may mean he will layoff an employee or two. His profit margins are minimal, and whatever the MTA may think, he can’t just absorb another uncontrolled cost. That’s exactly what we don’t need in this time when we are spending trillions to jump start the economy. Another business has spoken of picking up their operations and moving it a few miles east into Connecticut, beyond the reach of this and many other taxes. My Rockland and Orange colleagues face the same challenge in holding onto businesses who have the option of New Jersey on their doorstep. And further: while it doesn’t affect my district, who can honestly say that the meager MTA service into Rockland and Orange Counties warrant this levy in equal proportion to those based in Manhattan? How can, in good conscience, Putnam and Dutchess employers feel connected to the MTA for their employees’ and customers’ “mobility” and therefore, an equal partner to a Wall Street firm in paying this tax?

If it must be that there is to be a payroll tax, then it should be graded by sub-regions within the MTA world. Manhattan corporations – the largest beneficiary of the commuter rail system in bringing their employees to market – should pay a proportionately higher rate, than those from the suburbs. Local taxing entities – villages, towns, school
districts, small cities – should be exempted from the tax; if not, this payroll tax will quickly become one more element of higher property taxes when these governments prepare their budgets.

The legislators objecting to tolls have raised a very legitimate point, glossed over by their critics: who trusts the MTA’s numbers? Who believes they have done everything they can to reduce costs, scale back compensation, provide full transparency to their budgeting? Where is the independent audit that verifies their numbers? If we must act now, then sunset provisions for a year, subject to a full public audit. We can revisit the matter with the benefit of a full MTA audit before us.

There is no question that raising rates 30% and cutting back service is a draconian outcome for riders. But that is the threat offered by the MTA designed to make us subordinate any legitimate critique or concerns over their plan.

We are rolling down this forgotten track far too fast. We will live to regret these decisions made in the haste of the moment.