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)

COUNTY HOLDS REDISTRICTING CONFERENCES FROM WHITE PLAINS COUNTY LEGISLATOR BENJAMIN BOYKIN

Posted on September 9, 2022 by John Bailey

MASKS NO LONGER REQUIRED ON WESTCHESTER BEELINE BUSES EFFECTIVE THIS MORNING.

Posted on September 8, 2022 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. September 8, 2022:

Effective immediately, masks will no longer be required on Westchester County Bee-Line Buses, and Bee–Line ParaTransit. Earlier today, New York Governor Kathy Hochul removed the mask requirement on public transportation.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Largely steady COVID rates are making COVID part of our new reality, but not an illness that should impact our day-to-day life as it did two years ago. As always, those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask should do so, but that is a choice not a mandate.”

Latimer is still encouraging those who are eligible to receive the fourth COVID-19 vaccine. New York State still requires masks at health facilities, including nursing homes.

THREAT AGAINST WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL UNFOUNDED SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS.

Posted on September 8, 2022 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS.. From the White Plains Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Joseph Ricca. September 7, 2022:

Dear WPCSD Community Members and Staff:

Wednesday evening, the district was notified of a possible/alleged threat made by a student against WPHS.

The reported threat was focused on an alleged/possible act of violence against the school community.

As soon as the report was received, an investigation was conducted jointly by the district and the White Plains Police Department in accordance with our standard safety and security procedures.

Fortunately, the alleged threat was subsequently deemed non-credible and there is no threat to our school population.

Please be aware that all comments that may suggest any possible threat to the safety and security of our school community will always be handled as a serious situation. Accordingly, any such statement comes with significant consequences, even if they are made jokingly and/or are deemed as not being credible.

The White Plains City School District holds the safety and security of all students and staff as our highest priority and recognizes the need to be transparent regarding incidents that may impact our school community.

We will always act in a manner that maintains a safe and secure environment for our students and staff both inside and out of our buildings.

We are appreciative for the swift action of the WPPD and the proactive vigilance of our school community members. As always, every member of our school community is encouraged to report any potential concern to the WPPD and/or school administration immediately.

Finally, the WPPD will be present in and around the district today (Friday) to further reduce any possible concerns. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully, Joseph L. Ricca, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools

WESTCHESTER DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEGINS TRAINING ON RED FLAGS OF NEW GUN LAWS IN SCHOOLS FRIDAY.

Posted on September 7, 2022 by John Bailey

Training sessions kick off with school district superintendents on

state’s new gun legislation, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney. September 7, 2022:

As schools welcome students back from summer, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office is launching new training sessions for superintendents on New York’s new gun laws that went into effect September 1, particularly, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which school administrators and health practitioners, like school nurses and counselors, can apply for when they see students in crisis.

The first session will be held Friday, September 9, 2022, with the Council of School Administrators (CSA) at Southern Westchester BOCES with superintendents representing southern Westchester schools. A second session with northern Westchester school superintendents is being planned. The Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health will also be present during these sessions.

“Schools are one of our most valuable partners in the fight against gun violence and the engagement of school administrators is a critical investment in the safety of our school communities,” said Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah, who earlier this summer released a detailed Gun Safety Plan in the wake of the state legislature’s response to mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde followed by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning New York’s conceal carry law.

“These trainings are part of my Gun Safety Plan in action, and I’m doing everything in my power, as DA, and as a mother to school-aged children, to ensure New York’s new gun laws are used as effectively as possible.”

A package of sweeping new gun legislation signed in June by Governor Kathy Hochul went into effect September 1 and includes gun-free zones and new age restrictions on semi-automatic weapons. The legislation also enhanced New York’s red flag laws. School officials are one of a few categories of people who can now apply for ERPOs—court orders that temporarily restrict individuals who pose an imminent risk to themselves or others from purchasing and possessing firearms.

“It’s important that as educators and administrators we understand our new role in having a direct impact on the safety of our students and we’re proud to partner with the DA’s office so we can be equipped with the best tools,” said Dr. Jen Lamia, President of the Council of School Administrators (CSA) for Southern Westchester and Superintendent of Byram Hills Central School District.

“We’re wholly committed to being central players in this timely dialogue with legal experts who can guide us on ensuring the utmost safety of our school communities,” said Dr. Eric Byrne, President of the Lower Hudson Council of School Administrators for Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties and Superintendent of Rye City School District.

Red flag law training with community stakeholders has been a cornerstone of DA Rocah’s agenda to keep Westchester County safe from gun violence. These trainings mark a continuation of a gun safety partnership between Westchester schools and the DA’s Office that began in 2021 with the launch of the Safe Storage Program, a countywide initiative with Moms Demand Action that provides valuable resources to families in every Westchester school district on New York’s gun laws and safe firearm storage practices.

“There is nothing more important to me than the continued safety and protection of our students in Westchester County,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “Schools should always be a safe haven – a place where our young people can go to learn, develop and better themselves. It is our responsibility in government to partner with educators, administrators and law enforcement to guarantee the utmost safety of our school communities. I thank DA Rocah for her attention to this important matter.”

Together with other county agencies, including the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health and the Department of Public Safety, the District Attorney’s Office will continue to expand training on New York’s gun safety laws to interested groups throughout the county.

DA Rocah’s detailed Gun Safety Plan was recapped in the office’s Gun Safety Community Forum in July. A recording of the forum can be viewed at: Gun Safety in Our Community Virtual Forum – July 18, 2022

The presentation slides from the forum are available at: https://www.westchesterda.net/images/stories/pdfs/gunsafety.pdf