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CityREVIEW NewRochelle June 17 & 24, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 15 | www.cityreviewnr.com

HUD administrator talks life after settlement

Various factions move to ‘Raise the Age’ on convictions By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Statewide pleas to raise New York’s adult conviction age have begun to ruminate in Westchester County, attracting the voices of faith leaders, government officials and advocacy groups alike. And while the campaign— dubbed “Raise the Age,” which aims to increase the adult conviction age of New York state from 16 to 18 years old—has raised eyebrows, New York state still remains one of only two states in the U.S. with a 16-yearold threshold; the other being

North Carolina. Though talks of reforming the age limitation may be somewhat new, the 16-year-old age threshold is anything but. As a part of the Family Court Act, authorized in 1962 along with the creation of a New York state Family Court, children as young as 16 years old have been viewed as adults in the eyes of the state’s criminal justice system. But now, according to Allison Lake, the deputy director of the nonprofit Westchester Children’s Association, which joined the campaign to raise New York’s conviction age four

years ago, that 54-year statute is closer than ever to being overturned, and for youths statewide, the implications, she explained, could be significant. “The research shows us that young people who are involved in the adult criminal justice system are likely to reoffend,” Lake said. “They are also likely to commit another crime, and at a higher level.” In fact, data from the National Juvenile Justice Network— which consists of juvenile justice reform organizations in 41 states nationwide—suggests that a young offender admitted into

is on building a future with the individual municipalities after the settlement. Leicht said she As Westchester County nears hopes her department can help the end of its seven-year com- Westchester communities set mitment to identify and con- ordinances to require developstruct affordable housing, two ers to build specific numbers of representatives from the U.S. affordable units per overall unit Department of Housing and built. She added that, moving Urban Development’s region- forward, much of the departal office are already working ment’s aim would be education toward building a relationship and outreach, with the goal of informing the public about the for the future. The county is amid the final benefits of affordable housing. six months of a controversial Leicht’s strategy would keep a legal settlement with HUD, dialogue open between county in which the county agreed to communities and HUD, even create 750 units of affordable if Westchester decides to sever housing in 31 of its more af- ties with the department affluent and Caucasian commu- ter the terms of the settlement nities and meet specific guide- have been fulfilled. But several of the legislators lines that restrict how many of those buildings can be rental were fixed on HUD’s requireor senior-living, and where they ment for an analysis of impediments, AI, a report submitted can be built. But in a meeting with some by the county and its municimembers of the Board of Legis- palities determining the laws, lators on Monday, June 6, HUD zonings and restrictions that Regional Administrator Holly deter the fair building of affordLeicht focused on building a able housing units. Legislator David Gelfarb, relationship between HUD and the county after the settlement a Rye Brook Republican, said what troubled him most about requirements are completed. “If we get to the end of the the county’s settlement with settlement and 750 units have HUD was the reading of the been built but everybody’s say- analysis of impediments, which ing ‘I never want to deal with he called “Kafkaesque.” As part the federal government or the of the settlement, the county federal government’s money must submit an AI that HUD or affordable housing again,’ finds acceptable before the end we have not really met our of this year. The administration goal here,” Leicht told county of County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, has filed lawmakers. Leicht and Valerie Daniele, at least eight separate AIs since special assistant to the regional HUD continued on page 3 administrator, said their focus

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

After the passing of a nationwide FDA regulation classifying all vapor products as tobacco products, vape manufacturers, retailers and consumers of the growing industry may be forced to find an alternative to their alternative. For story, see page 6. Photo/Suzy Berkowitz

an adult correctional facility is 34 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime following their initial incident, compared to their peers who are put through a juvenile facility. This statistic, according to Lake, bears an even greater significance for the county and state’s African-American youth population, whose arrests more frequently result in jail time compared to their Caucasian counterparts. “All young people get in trouble, regardless of race,” Lake said. “But those that go through AGE continued on page 10