By Catherine Cioffi, Communications Director, Office of George Latimer, Westchester County Executive
Sept. 28, 2022: Expanding the County’s mission to reduce domestic violence cases across Westchester County, the Office for Women (OFW) has received a federal grant for the Westchester County Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRT). David Ryan, former Chief of Pound Ridge Police for the past 23 years and a member of law enforcement for over 40 years, will serve in the new post, through a contract with Hope’s Door, a Westchester-based domestic violence services provider funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.
Ryan will be responsible for reviewing domestic violence cases from a law enforcement perspective, following the County Executive’s commitment to improving community/police response to family violence. The Team will help connect victims with the appropriate service providers. Ryan, along with DVHRT Coordinator Nancy Tunis of OFW, will oversee the continued DVHRT training of the County’s local police departments, with the five remaining police departments scheduled for training this fall.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Our Office for Women is a model for New York State and the Country, in response to serious family violence and intimate partner violence training. We introduced the DVHRT program in an attempt to prevent future high-risk violence, and we have seen this training pay dividends in the communities who are already using it. This program is effective because our police are participating in training with fellow members of law enforcement, and with their help, we are working towards establishing long-term safety and security for our victims.”
Director of OFW Robi Schlaff said: “When we look at all the partners involved to protect a family from domestic violence, law enforcement is often the first point of contact. We are fortunate to have the most professional and competent partners in law enforcement here in Westchester. Our utmost concern will always be protecting the safety of Westchester County’s residents and families, and by working together with our police, we know we can successfully accomplish that goal.”
Ryan said: “Reducing the risk of violence stemming from domestic disputes has always been my passion, and when you have a long career in law enforcement, it’s possible to experience too many tragic and violent homicides. I have seen enough pain and suffering over the years that I knew could have been prevented, so I am personally invested in seeing this program succeed. We have seen a dramatic difference in the way our police officers respond with this new training, and while public safety will always be our mantra, we have a much more empathic and compassionate approach when we are engaged with victims of domestic violence.”
Of the County’s 42 local police departments, only one remains to be trained, with Mount Vernon, Larchmont and Harrison scheduled for September.
###
Kind regards,
Carolyn Fortino
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400