Eastchester REVIEW THE
April 8, 2022 | Vol. 10, Number 14 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Board celebrates Women’s History Month
Walk-off win!
Rye Neck’s Jacob Wesemann scores the tying run during a game against Bronxville on April 2, 2022. The Panthers scored four times in the bottom of the 7th inning to top the Broncos in a rematch of last year’s Section I Class B championship game. For story, see page 9. Photo/Mike Smith
Latimer highlights Probation Department for reducing crime All crime is down double digits in Westchester County, and County Executive George Latimer believes the improved numbers are due in large part to the good work of Westchester County’s Probation Department. Westchester County’s probation officers oversee thousands of cases and supervise thousands of people who are placed on probation each year, and are primarily responsible for ensuring crimes are not committed once offenders are released back into the public. Through home visits, drug testing, making sure offenders attend support services, and helping to secure housing and employment, the Probation Department’s goal is promoting public safety, and holding offenders accountable for
their actions. Latimer said: “Westchester County’s probation officers are the unsung heroes who help us to reduce crime in all of our communities. By working closely with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the District Attorney’s office, our local municipalities and a number of criminal justice agencies, our Probation Department offers an effective, safe alternative to incarceration. They are mentors, they provide guidance, and they help offenders reenter our communities as the best version of themselves.” Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Probation Rocco Pozzi said: “Probation is probably one of the biggest kept secrets in the criminal justice system,
because people really don’t understand the important role probation plays for the courts, and providing community safety by providing supervision to those who are released to our jurisdiction. If we can
do this well, then we are providing and extra layer of safety to our communities.” There are 144 Probation Officers currently serving Westchester County. (Submitted)
On Monday evening, the Westchester County Board of Legislators commemorated Women’s History Month by honoring all of the women who have served the Board, in a live-streamed video presentation and ceremony. Chairwoman Catherine Borgia (D–Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt, Croton, Ossining, Peekskill) kicked off the ceremony with the acknowledgement that Women’s History Month 2022 was an historic moment for the Board. She said, “In light of our Board electing women for the first time to the top two leadership positions -- myself as Chair and Legislator Nancy Barr as Vice Chair -- it is fitting to pay tribute to all the women who have served this Board. Since this body first convened in 1970, women have been integral as Legislators, and in leadership positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Majority and Minority Leader, and as Clerk.” A video comprised of personal messages from former Legislators was shown, and included segments from NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYS Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, the Hon. Diane A. Keane-Foster, the Hon. Alfreda A. Williams, the Hon. Pearl C. Quarles, the Hon. Kitley Covill and the Hon. Ruth Walter. They relayed anecdotes about winning their place at the table by balancing the budget, working across the aisle for economic and social equity for women and minorities, and helping to create the County Human Rights Commission. A photo montage followed, chronicling the work of all the women Legislators
which culminated with the Board’s appointment of Tajian Nelson as the first Black woman Democratic Election Commissioner at the March 7, 2022 Board meeting. Finally, Chair Borgia acknowledged and thanked the former women Legislators who were in the audience – the Hon. Alfreda A. Williams, the Hon. Pearl C. Quarles, the Hon. Kitley Covill and the Hon. Ruth Walter – asking them to stand with the women who currently serve: Vice Chair Barr (D-Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook), and Legislators Erika Pierce (D-Bedford, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers), Minority Leader Margaret A. Cunzio (C-Mt. Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville, Valhalla, Sleepy Hollow, Briarcliff Manor), Catherine F. Parker (D-Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye), Jewel Williams Johnson (D- Elmsford, Greenburgh, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown), Terry Clements (D- New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor), and MaryJane Shimsky (D- Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington). Borgia concluded the program by saying, “It was wonderful to see all of these pictures of the women who came before us, and to know of the battles they fought so that we could have the privilege of sitting here tonight ... I think we all have an obligation, both men and women, to encourage young women to participate in government because it is clear that when we have equal representation, really good things happen.” (Submitted)
Below are some statistics about Westchester County’s Department of Probation in 2021: CASE
PEOPLE
Total number of people cases supervised:
5,129
4,337
Total number of investigations ordered:
1,530
1,492
Domestic Violence:
312
181
Warrants:
952
949
TESTS GIVEN
PEOPLE TESTED
5445
1987
Drug testing
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