WHITE PLAINS – Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. has provided all law enforcement agencies in Westchester guidance for enforcing New York State’s social distancing and closure policies during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Governor Andrew Cuomo issued several executive orders extending “New York Pause” through April 29 to contain COVID-19 and protect the public’s health and well-being.
The orders have banned nonessential gatherings of any individuals of any size for any reason; closed movie theaters, casinos, gyms, barbershops and salons, bars, restaurants and other nonessential businesses; and required a 100 percent workforce reduction for all nonessential businesses.
Scarpino deems public adherence to the governor’s executive orders, outlined in the state 10-point policy, of vital necessity to contain the virus and protect residents of Westchester County.
His office has reached out to all of the county’s more than 40 local police departments, as well as the county Department of Public Safety and all municipal agencies, to explain how the executive orders should be enforced at the local level.
“Westchester has been hit hard by COVID-19 and we applaud the leadership and action of the Governor. As always, my focus is keeping Westchester safe and I join Governor Cuomo in his effort to contain the spread by enforcing social distancing in public spaces and businesses. It’s essential that we understand the executive orders and how they can be legally enforced. This is a very important measure that we join in with all of our local communities.”
“While, for the most part, the people of Tarrytown are complying with social distancing or listening to our officers when they tell groups of people to break up, there will be an occasion when someone doesn’t listen,” said Police Chief John Barbelet. “Our officers need to know on the street level how to enforce these policies if it comes to that. In general, making arrests or issuing summonses are our last resort, but we need these tools to take action if necessary. The District Attorney has provided this much-needed assistance.”
