Over $2 million in state grant funding is heading to local municipalities across Senate District 40 to help address public safety issues, infrastructure and first-responder needs.
The funding, secured by state Sen. Pete Harckham, awards $100,000 to each qualifying municipality to invest in a project tailored to their specific public safety needs, ranging from emergency equipment to pedestrian infrastructure.
Here is a look at how several local leaders plan to spend their share of the funds:
In Croton-on-Hudson, local leaders plan to use the grant to maintain vital emergency facilities.
"We're going to use these funds to put on a new roof at our Harmon Firehouse," said Croton-on-Hudson Deputy Mayor Len Simon.
In Bedford, town officials are focusing on making areas safer for residents on foot.
"We're looking at sidewalk extensions and crosswalks that will help enhance pedestrian safety in Bedford," explained Bedford Town Supervisor Ellen Calves.
In Yorktown, Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman said the $100,000 award could, in part, go towards local emergency medical services, including the Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Mohegan EMS.
"In our town, we are looking at quite a few things," said Lachterman. "We have some pedestrian upgrades we're trying to make, but we are also trying to handle some of the EMS issues."
In Mount Kisco, safety in public spaces has taken top priority following a recent suspicious incident at Leonard Park involving an adult individual interacting with children.
Mayor Michael Cindrich plans to advocate for specialized equipment to increase security and emergency response capability within the park grounds.
"I'm going to advocate for an all-terrain vehicle, either a Gator or an ATV, that's going to be equipped with first aid equipment and other safety equipment," Cindrich said.
In addition to these specific projects, local officials throughout Westchester and Putnam counties report that their funding shares will be allocated toward a variety of local priorities, including crosswalk upgrades and modern equipment for first responders.