Eastchester REVIEW THE
December 15, 2023 | Vol. 11, Number 48 | www.eastchesterreview.com
TOURNEY TIME!
New law allows crisis teams to use flashing green lights
Eastchester and Clarkstown North square off at Eastchester’s third-annual wrestling tournament on Dec. 9. The Eagles placed second—behind Clarkstown—with a record of 3-1 on the day. For more, see page 16. Photo/Mike Smith
Latimer appoints new Planning leadership Furthering his mission to bring experienced leadership to Westchester County Government, County Executive George Latimer has appointed Blanca Lopez as Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning. In addition, Susan Darling has been named Chief Planner, Leonard Gruenfeld has been named Program Director for Community Development, and Craig Lader named Director of Transportation Planning. Latimer said: “Blanca Lopez was appointed as an advisor on Fair and Affordable Housing at the start of our administration, and she has
demonstrated a lifelong passion for affordable housing and community services for vulnerable families. Blanca’s dedication to the people of Westchester County is on display every day, and this promotion is very well-earned.” Lopez said: “It is truly an honor to be appointed as the new Commissioner of Planning for Westchester County. I will not take lightly the responsibilities bestowed upon me in this new role and will work to my fullest potential on behalf of the County to encourage responsible growth and development. I am privileged to lead a department
of professionals who share the same goals as I do with respect to improving the quality of life of current and future generations as well as protecting the environment and our communities from emerging challenges.” Prior to serving as Commissioner, Lopez served as Acting and Deputy Commissioner of Planning. She also served as Assistant Director of Operations for Westchester County responsible for oversight of all County housing-related programs. Lopez brings over two decades of experience in community development, urban planning and housing.
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As Westchester County’s network of Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) continues to build and serve communities throughout the County, they, and teams around the state, will soon have a new tool to help them arrive at behavioral health emergencies faster and more safely. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law legislation, sponsored by State Senator Pete Harckham and initiated in Westchester County, that will allow Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the state to display flashing green emergency lights in their vehicles when responding to a call. As part of Westchester County Executive George Latimer’s “Project Alliance,” Westchester County deploys MCRTs throughout the County, connected to law enforcement and a “Crisis Network” phone line that serves to divert people in behavioral health crisis to the de-escalation and services they need. At the outset, planning for these teams included a stepby-step analysis of needs and design, with the ability to arrive quickly and safely to those in crisis. The Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), in an effort led by Deputy Commissioner Joseph Glazer, worked closely with Harckham and his staff to draft legislation that would allow MCRT members to use flashing
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green emergency lights on their vehicles. Unlike flashing red lights, which require drivers to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles displaying them, flashing green lights request drivers to yield the right of way so they can arrive at the scene more quickly and safely. Senator Harckham and his staff drafted the legislation, not just for Westchester but as a statewide bill, recognizing a growing desire to create MCRT teams across New York State. The bill (S.5397/A.5604) was sponsored in the Assembly by Transportation Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse). The lights will be deployed to teams as defined with certain service model criteria. The new law will become effective 180 days from the day it was signed by the Governor. Latimer said: “The goal of Project Alliance is really to help first responders across Westchester to be better prepared, and able to meet the needs of the communities we all serve. This measure, shepherded to adoption by our own Senator Harckham, and Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, will serve to help us get to people in crisis faster and more safely.” Harckham said: “Allowing Mental Health Crisis teams professionals in transit to use green lights on vehicles will cer-
see CRISIS 3
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