Yorktown Launches Community Safety Coalition
On Tuesday night Supervisor Matt Slater introduced the members of the new Yorktown Coalition on Community Safety and Engagement to the Town Board and the public.
The coalition’s purpose is to comply with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order 203 requiring all local governments with police departments to perform a comprehensive review of current police force deployments, strategies, policies, procedures and practices. After the review, local government must prepare a plan to improve any deficiencies or shortfalls identified during the process.
“The Yorktown Police Department has already achieved the highest levels of professionalism and training as an accredited department through the New York State’s Division of Criminal Justice Services,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “Nonetheless, we recognize and respect the fact that our nation is engaged in a moment of self-examination when it comes to police-community relations. We are beginning this review process with the goal of achieving even greater excellence in our policing.”
The coalition’s new members are:
- Jim Poulin – President of the Yorktown Lions
- Rabbi Robbie Weiner – Yorktown Interfaith Coalition
- Rosemarie Panio – Chairperson of the Senior Advisory Committee
- Toni Reynolds – Citizen Representative
- Liz Rivera – Citizen Representative
- Peter Lanza – Vice President of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce
- Paul Cirilo – Youth Representative
- Supervisor Matt Slater
- Police Chief Robert Noble
The coalition’s job is to review and evaluate use of force policies; bias awareness training; de-escalation practices; restorative justice practices; and other police practices.
“I am proud to work with the men and women of the Yorktown Police Department," said Yorktown Chief of Police Robert Noble. "I look forward to meeting and hearing from new people during this process which I believe will highlight the good work our Police Department does every day.”
The coalition will hold a series of public hearings this fall to consult with the public, non-profit organizations, faith groups, public defenders and local prosecutors. The meetings will be held at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. on October 8 and 20; November 12 and 19; and an undetermined date in December.
After the hearings conclude, town officials will prepare a report that must be submitted to the state by April 1.
Contact: Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201 or mslater@yorktownny.org.
