Eastchester REVIEW THE
December 7, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 50 | www.eastchesterreview.com
County renews shared services agreement with Tuckahoe
Saving the Sound Federal and state officials announced this week several grants aimed at improving and protecting the Long Island Sound watershed. For more, see page 6. File photo
Westchester passes Fair Chance to Work legislation On Dec. 3, the Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a measure to ensure that people with criminal records in their past have an opportunity to explain their circumstances when they’re looking for work. The “Fair Chance to Work” legislation, which passed by a vote of 11-5, eliminates questions about a job applicant’s criminal record on initial job applications, but it does allow for such questions to be asked in interviews. It also allows for background checks after initial application. The measure will give qualified people a foot in the door when they’re applying for work, even if they may have been convicted for a minor offense or are working to rehabilitate themselves after a criminal conviction. That’s because the first thing an employer will see will be the applicant’s qualifica-
tions, not a marked check box. “The point of this legislation is to give job seekers a chance to establish a dialogue with prospective employers, not to have any dialogue cut off before it can begin,” said board Vice Chairwoman Alfreda Williams, one of the co-sponsors of the legislation. “I am proud that this will be the law in Westchester County. This will make a positive impact on people’s lives, help people make a new start, encourage employment, give employers a wider pool of motivated, qualified workers and increase the tax rolls simultaneously.” Laws like this, popularly known as “ban the box” provisions, have been passed across the country—including in Kansas, Wisconsin, Connecticut and New York City—and companies like Pepsico, Microsoft, Home De-
pot, Target, Starbucks, Walmart and CVS have eliminated these questions from job applications. “I’m happy that Westchester County today has joined various states, cities and other municipalities in passing legislation of this sort. This legislation doesn’t limit background checks by employers, but it will allow job applicants an opportunity to tell their stories when they’re looking for work,” said county Legislator Catherine Borgia, the bill’s co-sponsor. “Eliminating questions of criminal background on initial application is a policy that has been adopted by companies across the political spectrum.” County Legislator Damon Maher, chairman of the board’s Labor and Housing Committee, said, “This is a good step toward ensuring that those who are charting a new course in their
lives have a path do to so. Better opportunities for employment will reduce recidivism as we hopefully put the era of mass incarceration behind us.” Employment is one of the most important factors in reducing recidivism rates, but when initial job applications include things like check-boxes disclosing past criminal records, workers often find themselves pre-emptively cut off from opportunities to rebuild their lives. School districts, employers of police officers, and other employers who are barred by law from hiring applicants with specific criminal convictions, would not be subject to the new measure, which goes to County Executive George Latimer for his signature. You can view the text of the legislation and the legislative history at bit.ly/2Rr0Pl8. (Submitted)
In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that the Westchester County Department of Public Safety will continue to handle 911 calls and dispatch duties for the Tuckahoe Police Department on the midnight shift under a renewed shared services agreement between the county and the village of Tuckahoe. The agreement comes at no cost to the county and saves Tuckahoe taxpayers from further personnel costs. “This agreement is a small example of how county government and local governments can partner in an effort to save taxpayer money,” County Executive George Latimer said. “My administration has made a more robust shared service plan a key in our efforts to reduce the burden placed on Westchester County taxpayers and this agreement with Tuckahoe can serve as a blueprint on how it is possible.” The five-year extension of the agreement, approved on Dec. 3 by the county Board of Legislators, allows Tuckahoe to continue to save money by not having a desk officer on duty at police headquarters on the overnight shift. “I am very pleased that County Executive George Latimer has agreed to extend this partnership for another five-year period,” Tuckahoe Mayor Steve Ecklond said. “This cooperative shared service between the county and the village has exceeded our expectations. The financial savings to our village residents has en-
abled us to place these resources toward other areas of public safety. I also want to extend my gratitude to Commissioner Thomas Gleason of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and his staff for the excellent ongoing support provided to our police department.” Westchester County police began dispatching Tuckahoe police officers on the midnight shift on Dec. 3, 2013, under an Inter-Municipal Agreement between the county and village. The IMA came about when Tuckahoe was facing the possibility of having to reduce its patrol coverage on the midnight shift. By eliminating the need for a desk officer, the Tuckahoe Police Department was able to keep the same number of officers on the street. All 911 calls or other telephone calls from the public to the Tuckahoe Police Department are handled by county police from midnight to 7:40 a.m., seven days a week. The county police also dispatch Tuckahoe officers as needed. Anyone who comes in person to the Tuckahoe Police Department headquarters during the overnight hours can contact county police through a telephone mounted at the front door. A Tuckahoe police officer is then dispatched to return to headquarters. The county can provide the service to Tuckahoe at no cost because the small volume of overnight calls in the village can be handled by current personnel. (Submitted)
All 911 calls or other telephone calls from the public to the Tuckahoe Police Department are handled by Westchester County police from midnight to 7:40 a.m., seven days a week, as per a shared services agreement between the two municipalities.