In January 2025, County Executive Ken Jenkins launched the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force (GVPTF), which had been created through Executive Order by former County Executive George Latimer in cooperation with the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Championed by Westchester County Legislator Shanae Williams, the task force gathers local community members, gun violence experts, Law Enforcement, religious leaders, educators, legal professionals, mental health experts, those impacted by gun violence, youth and County staff to examine the causes of gun violence in the County and recommends practical, actionable strategies to reduce its occurrence and impact.
Westchester does not have a high volume of gun violence; However, every incident has deep resonance and impact within the community. As a County rich in resources, including many professionals, organizations, and community members engaged with demographics most likely to be impacted by gun violence, Westchester County is uniquely poised to create new solutions to the problem of gun violence through multi-level public-private collaboration. Westchester County Public Safety has long-standing relationships with local Police Departments, facilitating data collection and sharing, which will help craft and evaluate gun violence prevention measures.
The Gun Violence Task Force typically meets on the first Thursday of the month, except during holiday weeks, from 6-8 pm at the Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave, White Plains, NY.
Gun Violence Task Force Members
- Richard Wishnie, DCE, Co-Chair , 914-995-2909
- Hezues R, Co-Chair
- Legislator Shanae Williams, , 914-995-2829
- Charles Barnette III (Flip)
- Debbie Burrell
- Dave Clarke
- Joaquin Dean
- Stephanie Dotel
- Joanne Dunn
- Rob Foti
- Barry Graubart
- Yocasta Jimenez
- Shaun Jones
- Dr. H. Lee Jordan, Jr
- Kailani Ledesma
- Cynthia Lobo
- Alejandro Leon
- Elyse Margolis
- Sam North
- Sharon Rubinstein
Ad hoc:
Meshach Hewitt
Vincent Jackson
Lotta Fernqvist
County Employees
Catherine Borgia, , 914-995-5023, cell: 914-262-8873
Michael Gerard, Corrections, , (914) 231-1102
Dr. Christopher John, Head Mobile Crisis Team, , 914-995-6450
Rachel Kotzur, Probation, , 914-995-6769
Chief James Luciano, Public Safety, , 914-995-1617
Ernest McFadden, County Youth Bureau, , 914-995-2760