Westchester County Police Department

WCPD / School Resource Officers Tiger Country was roaring this past Friday in celebration of the North Salem HS senior class! PO Sean Armstrong, our School Resource Officer assigned to the North Salem Central School District, helped kick off the great day by escorting the senior class with North Salem PD, to PQ Elementary School for a special tradition.... Hosted by Principal Johnson, the seniors were escorted around the building where their education and school memories began. They were greeted with applause, cheers and signs of support and congratulations from the current elementary students and their teachers. Our Aviation Unit made the experience even more memorable with a quick fly over while they were out on routine patrol. The students then boarded the buses to head back to the High School where they were greeted by Principal DiGrandi who was manning the grill for their senior bbq. The cooking was in good hands, and Officer Armstrong pitched in as directed by the chef. The WCPD was proud to support the North Salem HS senior class and the school community with this terrific final day of school for the Class of 2021. We congratulate all the graduates and wish the entire North Salem school community a happy and safe summer!

WCPD / School Resource Officers WCPD School Resource Officers assigned to the Somers Central School District were proud to partner with the Somers Police Department and Somers Fire Department to support the District's "Moving Up" celebration parades held last week throughout the community for the younger Tuskers. Officer Brian Pavletich, (SRO, Primrose Elementary), Officer Kathleen Cristiano (SRO, Somers Intermediate) and Officer Lamar Wilcher, (SRO, Somers Middle School) had... as much fun as their students and gave plenty of waves of support as the students end their school year with lots of smiles. The WCPD extends our congratulations to all the students who are moving up next year to a new school. Best wishes to all students and the entire school community for a happy and safe summer. Good job everyone!

WCPD / Headquarters The WCPD wishes a very Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!

Prom season is back and so is reinforcement. Read how Westchester County Police along with the County Taxi &Limousine Commission and Office of Drug Abuse and Prevention and STOP-DWI team up to keep students safe ahead of the big night. http://ow.ly/uoH250FcWrT

WCPD / Canine Unit Sgt. Pagliuca and Flora, an explosives detection canine, recently participated in a NY SECURE detail at the Croton-Harmon railroad station. Other participants included the Amtrak and MTA Police Departments and the New York State Police.

Our officers wear a lot of different hats on the job, so happy National Hat Day to all.

WCPD / Cortlandt Precinct & Hendrick Hudson SRO In response to concerns raised by the community, WCPD officers are addressing traffic safety issues along Watch Hill Road, particularly in the vicinity of Furnace Woods Elementary School. The area near Blue Mountain Middle School is also getting some special attention. Motorists are advised to observe the speed limit. Persons dropping off or picking up students are reminded that stopping or parking along the road is prohibited... near the schools. Let’s all work together to ensure a safe environment around these schools.

WCPD / Headquarters Three new police officers were sworn into the WCPD today by Commissioner Gleason. The new officers have previous police experience and transferred to our Department from other agencies. The new officers are: Mark Piccirilli, Mohammed Chandoo and Richard Peluso. Mark Piccirilli joins his dad, Detective Roger Piccirilli, in the ranks of the WCPD!... Our new officers were welcomed at the brief swearing-in ceremony by Commissioner Gleason and Deputy Commissioner Raynor. They were assigned to the Patrol Services Division and will begin field training immediately. Best wishes to our newest members for long, safe and successful careers at WCPD.

WCPD / School Resource Officers P.O. Pavletich, our School Resource Officer assigned to Primrose Elementary in Somers, received a terrific surprise upon arrival at work today a breakfast organized by faculty and staff to mark National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day tomorrow. We are grateful to all at Primrose for their kindness to our officer and for their great partnership with WCPD. These guys rock, was how Officer Pavletich put it. ... We second the motion.

WCPD / Headquarters WCPD honors the memory and sacrifice Sgt. Charles Rice Jr., who died of a disease he contracted from a prisoner during a transport in December 1987. The prisoner was infected with Hepatitis C, which was passed on to Sgt. Rice. Sgt. Rice was diagnosed with the disease in 1996 and passed away as a result on Jan. 9, 2009.

WCPD / School Resource Officers Our School Resource Officers for the Somers Central School District recently took a quick break from their school duties to say goodbye to Assistant Supt. Kenneth Crowley. Ken retired recently after 27 years of service to the school district and the Somers community. Ken was always a staunch supporter of school safety initiatives and instrumental in the development and success of the school resource officer program for the district over the ye...ars. The WCPD thanks Ken for his support and wishes him well with all his future endeavors.

WCPD / Mount Kisco Precinct Blue Santa blew into town this afternoon. making stops at Village Hall, Mount Kisco Housing Authority and Mount Kisco Elementary School. Our thanks to the good people at Staples for donating the school supplies we brought to MKES. Blue Santa still has more stops to make so keep an eye out him, Mount Kisco!

WCPD / Headquarters

WCPD / Cortlandt Precinct Hey Cortlandt, be on the lookout for Blue Santa and his WCPD elves as they make their way around town! Next stops are Town Hall and the Montrose area. Among our visits this morning was a stop at NYP-Hudson Valley Hospital to bring some holiday cheer to the patients and once again express our admiration and respect for the health care heroes there.... Happy holidays, Cortlandt, from the WCPD!

WCPD / Headquarters The WCPD wishes all a happy, healthy and safe holiday. Merry Christmas!

WCPD / Fleet Management The awesome crew in our Department garage has been hard at work for a month or more getting snow tires on all our Patrol vehicles and preparing our fleet for winter driving. Take a tip from our Fleet folks and get ready in advance for winter weather. You know that Mother Nature will send us some snow at some point.... Before it snows: Make sure your tires are in good condition. Many vehicles spin out or get stuck in the snow, or cannot make it up a snowy hill, because poor tires cannot provide needed traction. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and you have filled the windshield wiper fluid reservoir. Poor wipers and no fluid can make it impossible to properly clear ice and snow from the windshield. Fill up your gas tank when a storm is pending. This way you will not run out of gas if you get stuck in traffic. Have a phone charger in your car. Your phone will not lose power and you can make an emergency call if necessary. Dress warmly. You don’t want to be stuck in a storm without gloves, a winter coat and boots, and a hat or hood. If you have to abandon your vehicle, or your car will not run and is without heat, you will need sufficient protection from the elements to avoid hypothermia. Carry sufficient winter emergency supplies. These include: Flares or reflective triangles to put out if your vehicles gets stuck or breaks down; A flashlight; Some bottled water and non-perishable snacks; A blanket for extra warmth.

WCPD / Headquarters Some of Blue Santa’s elves have been hard at work delivering and wrapping presents for tomorrow’s festivities in Cortlandt and Mount Kisco as well as at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. WCPD is grateful for the generous support of the Majestic Wolves Motorcycle Club, Empire Harley Davidson of New Rochelle and the WCPD PBA. Pictured here in the first photo (left to right) are: Rigo Toro, president, and Brenda Toro, vice president, Majestic Wolves MC; ...P.O. Melissa Rivera, Patrol Division; Randy Medina, Operations Manager, Empire Harley Davidson; and Dorothy Troiano, Commissioner’s Office. Our thanks to all who helped provide the gifts and to our gift-wrap crew at HQ. More details about tomorrow’s events are in the post below this one.

WCPD / Public Information Office WESTCHESTER COUNTY POLICE TO CONDUCT INCREASED ENFORCEMENT THOUGH NEW YEAR’S DAY (Hawthorne, NY) Westchester County Police will be conducting increased enforcement through New Year’s Day to curb speeding, aggressive driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, the County Police will have extra officers working during the significant storm that is forecast for this evening and Friday.... Our goal as always is to do everything we can to keep Westchester’s parkways safe for those who will be traveling on them during the holiday season, Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said. There is zero tolerance for drivers who put others at risk by speeding, driving aggressively or driving while impaired. Gleason also said the County Police are prepared to respond to flooding or other emergencies that may result from the storm. Patrol officers will be deployed to close parkways or sections of parkways that become flooded. Additional Emergency Service Unit officers will also be on duty. ESU officers carry equipment that can be used to clear downed trees that are blocking parkways and are trained to conduct rope rescues and swift water rescues of persons trapped by flooding. The commissioner said County Police have observed an increase in speeding and other aggressive driving this year because traffic volume was lighter due to the pandemic. County Police have continually conducted enforcement throughout the year, issuing more than 13,000 summonses for violations of Vehicle & Traffic Law. The Department of Public Safety and other agencies in Westchester are participating in a STOP-DWI enforcement campaign that will begin tonight and continue through New Year’s Day. The County Police will be increasing its enforcement of Driving While Intoxicated laws along the Bronx River, Cross County, Saw Mill and Hutchinson River parkways. The county’s Office of Drug Abuse Prevention and STOP-DWI assists in coordinating joint law enforcement initiatives such as the current enforcement campaign. The Office of Drug Abuse Prevention and STOP-DWI also conducts numerous programs for schools and community groups to educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving, the increased certainty of arrest and the serious penalties faced by drivers convicted of DWI.

WCPD / Community Affairs Don't be alarmed! It's just Blue Santa coming to town! WCPD Operation Blue Santa is gearing up for our special patrols on Monday 12/21. We had to modify our plans due to the coronavirus this year, but it won't deter Blue Santa and his squad from delivering presents to families in need and spreading holiday cheer to the communities and county we serve throughout the day.... The special patrol will be joined by elves from Police, Fire and EMS agencies from throughout Westchester County Monday evening for our holiday "Good Night Lights" initiative. Lead by a contingent of Police motorcycles, Blue Santa and his squad of first responders will be on a very special mission to brighten the spirits of patients of all ages, their families and staff, at Westchester Medical Center. Stay tuned for updates and photos throughout the day and wave to us if you see us! We know it's been a tough year for all. We hope our Operation Blue Santa and Good Night Lights initiative will enable our officers to share smiles, cheer and happy holidays wishes throughout the community. The Westchester County Police wish everyone a Happy, Safe and Healthy holiday!

WCPD / Police Academy A slimmed down, socially distant graduation ceremony for 26 new police officers was held today at the Westchester County Police Academy. Congratulations to the 150th Session and best wishes for long, safe and successful careers! The men and women of the 150th Session are off to work at 10 police departments in Westchester and one in Putnam. Permit us a special shout-out to our newest member, P.O. Sarina Taverner, who performed the national anthem on beha...lf of her class and totally knocked it out of the park! Our thanks to County Executive Latimer, Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason and the Pipes & Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester for participating in the ceremony today. The new officers and their departments are: Westchester County: Sarina Taverner Eastchester: Joseph Battista, William Kaul Hastings-on-Hudson: Jessica Carducci, Angel Mosqueda Greenburgh: Steven Bach Mount Pleasant: Matthew DeBiase, Stephen Munz Mount Vernon: Julian Martinez New Rochelle: Tony Heras, Leticia Lua, Craig McClintock Pelham: Robert Paris Putnam County Sheriff: Kevin Kennedy, Thomas Ward White Plains: Nicholas Klebetz, Stephen Rossi Yonkers: Jonah Bellantoni, Curtis Dennis, Anthony Grippo, John Liberatore, Kyle Marshall, Vincent Martin, Veronica Pope, Anthony Raymond, Fatima Taylor

WCPD / Ceremonial Team The Ceremonial Team just presented the colors at the County's Ribbons of Remembrance ceremony for Westchester residents lost to Covid-19. The ceremony is being carried live on the County's Facebook page.

WCPD / Detective Division Our detectives assigned to the Narcotics Unit and the Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force helped bring down a criminal enterprise accused of peddling drugs on our streets, murdering a 15-year-old in cold blood and even scamming money meant to help people hurting from the Covid-19 pandemic. A lengthy and wide-ranging investigation, conducted by members of multiple federal and local agencies, lead to the arrests today of 18 suspected members of ...the "Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Gang." Looks like the gang wasn't untouchable after all. "Our streets are indeed safer thanks to the great work of the Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and all of the partner agencies that contributed to the success of this investigation. I commend our detectives for the work they have done on this complex case, Commissioner Gleason said. You can read about the agencies involved and the federal indictments the suspects are facing in this press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York: https://bit.ly/3oiRBHD Congratulations to every investigator involved in this case. The gold shields certainly get a gold star tonight!

WCPD / Headquarters Wecome aboard! Eight new police officers were sworn into the ranks of the Westchester County Police this week by Commissioner Gleason.... The eight officers have previous police experience and transferred to the Department of Public Safety from three municipal police departments in Westchester. The new officers are: Clinton Boxhill, Abdu Lawrence, Conrado Builes Ramirez, Alberto Ramos, Rasau Romeo, Nicholas Smith, Thomas Hagan and Kristin Reilly. Best wishes to our newest officers for long, safe and successful careers at WCPD.

WCPD / Parkway Patrol Here's a heads-up for home-bound commuters. Due to flooding, several partial road closures are in effect on the parkways we patrol. On the Saw Mill River Parkway in Mount Pleasant, all northbound traffic is being diverted on to the Taconic State Parkway. Southbound, the parkway is closed between Bedford Road in Pleasantville and Marble Avenue in Thornwood.... The Bronx River Parkway is closed from the Sprain Brook Parkway split to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Northbound traffic is being diverted on to the Sprain. In addition, several sections of the BRP are closed in both directions near Main Street in White Plains. Please drive carefully and remember to move over or slow down for emergency vehicles that are maintaining these closures.

WCPD / Patrol Division Three Bronx men were arrested and a loaded handgun was seized after a WCPD Patrol sergeant interrupted an illegal speed contest this morning on the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers. At 2:25 a.m., the sergeant observed two vehicles racing northbound on the Saw Mill near McLean Avenue. The sergeant attempted to stop one of the vehicles, a blue BMW, near Yonkers Avenue.... The BMW fled on to westbound Yonkers Avenue, where it was involved in a minor collision with another responding County Police patrol vehicle. The driver and two passengers in the BMW were taken into custody, a loaded .22-caliber handgun and a quantity of marijuana were seized, and the BMW was impounded. The arrests are the latest in an ongoing enforcement crackdown by County Police targeting drag racing and vehicles with loud mufflers or other violations that cause excessive noise. Multiple arrests, summonses and impounds have resulted in recent months from the ongoing enforcement initiative. The BMW driver was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, a felony; Reckless Driving, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree, Illegal Speed Contest and Criminal Possession of Marijuana 4th Degree, misdemeanors; and multiple violations of Vehicle and Traffic Law. The passengers were charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree.

WCPD / Patrol Division Case Update: WCPD Patrol officers nabbed these suspects on the Hutchinson River Parkway as they fled from a burglary in Rye Brook. They were subsequently charged in multiple burglaries around Westchester and the case continues to proceed through the criminal justice system.

WCPD / Patrol & PIO Noisy cars and motorcycles have been a a drag for people living near the Saw Mill and Bronx River parkways in southern Westchester, going back to the early weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic. Those folks hear the noise and we hear their concerns. WCPD and partners have been at work on this issue and will continue to do so. WCPD Patrol officers put the brakes on a race today and made an arrest. The details are in the press release below.... NYC MAN CHARGED WITH DRAG RACING ON THE SAW MILL Westchester County Police arrested a New York City man this morning after observing an illegal speed contest occurring on the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers. In addition, as part of an ongoing crackdown on drag racing and noise caused by vehicles with loud mufflers, County Police wrote 17 summonses in the early morning hours for violations such as speeding, inadequate exhaust systems and other equipment violations. Drag racing poses a danger to the motoring public. In addition, the noise coming from vehicles associated with this activity is a significant quality-of-life issue for residents who live along our parkways, Public Safety Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said. The Westchester County Police continue to address this issue in a variety of ways, including conducting targeted enforcement on our parkways and participating in a task force with other law enforcement agencies in southern Westchester. The arrest this morning came as two County officers assigned to watch for illegal speed contests observed two cars racing just after midnight on the southbound Saw Mill River Parkway near Palmer Road. The two speeding vehicles weaved in and out of traffic, putting other drivers on the road at risk. Officers pursued the vehicles and were able to bring one of them to a stop near McLean Avenue. Joshua Cabrera, 19, of East 129th Street, Manhattan, was taken into custody and his vehicle, a 2018 Nissan Altima, was impounded. He was booked at County Police headquarters in Hawthorne and charged with Unauthorized Speed Contest, a misdemeanor, and Speeding, Unsafe Lane Change and Insufficient Tail Lamps, violations. He was released on a desk appearance ticket and is due in Yonkers City Court on Oct. 29. Gleason said that the County Police will continue this targeted enforcement on the Saw Mill River Parkway and Bronx River Parkway and will continue to participate in a multi-agency task with the Yonkers, Greenburgh and New York State Police departments. He noted that on one single summer weekend, the task force issued almost 150 summonses on and around the Saw Mill River Parkway, Bronx River Parkway, Sprain Brook Parkway and New York State Thruway. Arrests, summonses and impounds continue to occur to deter drag racing and loud noise by cars and motorcycles, he said.

WCPD / Headquarters WCPD this month is saying farewell to three outstanding sergeants who have more than 75 years of combined law enforcement service. Best wishes to Sgt. Amery Bernhardt, Sgt. Michael Dowd and Sgt. John Lodge as they enter the next chapter of their lives. It will not be easy to replace their talents and experience. We wish them long, happy and healthy retirements.... Sgt. Bernhardt is pictured here with Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason at the Police Academy earlier this year. Covid-19 precautions restricted our ability to catch up with Sgts. Lodge and Dowd for a photo during their last days here.

WCPD / Headquarters There will be a test of the Indian Point sirens in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange Counties today at approximately 10:30 a.m. This sounding is only a test. If there were an emergency at the nuclear power plants, the sirens would be sounded continuously at full volume for 4 minutes, followed by an activation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on radio and television stations to broadcast important information and instructions. The sirens are not ...a signal to evacuate, rather they are intended to alert the public to tune to WHUD 100.7FM or another EAS radio or TV station for important information. The siren sounding is ONLY A TEST. No action by the public is necessary.

The Westchester County Police Reform and Reimagining Task Force will hold a series of Public Forums on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. Send an e-mail to [email protected] or call (914) 995-2921 to register to speak. You can also join us virtually by registering for a digital forum: https://bit.ly/2EvWVWG El Grupo de Trabajo (Task Force) de Reforma y Reinvencion de la Policia del Condado de Westchester llevara a cabo una serie de Foros Publicos el martes 27 de octubre, de 6 a 8 p.m. Enviar un correo electronico a [email protected] llamar (914) 995-2921 para registrarse para hablar. Tambien puede unirse a nosotros virtualmente registrandose para un digital Forum.(foro digital): https://bit.ly/2EvWVWG

WCPD / Patrol Division Here's a heads up for our FB followers: Westchester County Police are participating in a statewide traffic enforcement campaign that aims to curb aggressive and distracted driving and reduce accidents.... The stepped-up enforcement by County Police is taking place this month on the Bronx River, Cross County, Hutchinson River and Saw Mill River parkways as well as in Cortlandt and Mount Kisco. The enforcement campaign, sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, targets locations and times where data analysis shows speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors, including using a cell phone without a hands-free device, to be a leading cause of accidents. Aggressive driving and distracted driving are among the primary causes of crashes that cause fatalities or serious injuries, Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said. The goal of this increased enforcement is to reduce accidents, save lives and keep our roadways safe. Gleason noted that the County Police enforce Vehicle & Traffic law all year round but additional officers will be assigned to the task this week. Special attention will be paid to the following violations: Speeding; Distracted Driving, including texting while driving or otherwise using the cell phone without a hands-free device; Following Too Closely (tail gaiting); Failure to Yield Right of Way; Unsafe Lane Change.

WCPD / Headquarters WCPD extends its deepest condolences to the men and women of the Bedford Police Department who continue to mourn the loss of PO Nick Hansen. We stood in solidarity with Bedford PD at services for PO Hansen and dropped off some breakfast for their day tour today in another gesture of support. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Hansen family and the Bedford PD during this difficult time.

WCPD / Marine Unit Hudson Valley photographer Cory Lyons was in Ossining when he spotted Marine 445 zipping by on the Hudson River. Thanks for sharing the photo with us, Cory!

WCPD / Community Affairs One month, two causes. The goal: to improve lives and save lives. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. About 250,000 women and 2,300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. annually. The goal in October is to encourage women to get tested. WCPD stands is support of all those who lives have been impacted by this disease.... Great information is available from your health-care provider or through the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control, among others. Domestic violence continues to plague our society and too many people are not safe in their own homes. WCPD continues to work with the law enforcement community and domestic violence advocates to end the cycle of violence and hold offenders accountable. In an emergency, victims are urged to call 911 so law enforcement can respond to this crime. Non-emergency assistance and resources are available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE). Help is also available here in Westchester through several awesome organizations such as Hope's Door, My Sisters Place and the County's Office for Women. You are not alone. Help and resources are available. Please reach out.

WCPD / Patrol Division - School Resource Officers SRO SHOUT OUT! - Lakeland CSD Our Lincoln-Titus Elementary School SRO, PO Rich Lepore, was happy to join Principal Elizabeth McGowan and staff in welcoming back their returning students and parents.... We wish all the Lincoln-Titus Twisters a great year! Welcome Back!

WCPD / Patrol Division - School Resource Officers SRO SHOUT OUT! - Hendrick Hudson School District It's back to school for the Hendrick Hudson School District!... Our SRO, PO Edwin Ramirez, is proud to be a part of Sailor Country and to be back making his rounds to greet students, parents and teachers at Hendrick Hudson High School, Blue Mountain Middle School, Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary, Frank G. LIndsey Elementary, and Furnace Woods Elementary. The WCPD wishes all students, teachers and staff a rewarding year despite some of the challenges that we're all working together to overcome. Welcome Back Sailors!