Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
August 10, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 32 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Mamaroneck toddler death ruled homicide By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
COUNTY CHAMPS
Lake Isle’s Claire Weinstein competes at the Westchester County Swim Association Championships at Rye Playland on Aug. 2. Lake Isle won the 93rd annual WCSA, outpointing second-place Wykagyl Country Club 309-215. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
A month later, town gun ban moves along By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A month after the passage of a piece of legislation banning firearms in municipal buildings throughout the town of Mamaroneck, legal opposition to the law has yet to formulate. The local law, passed unanimously at the July 11 town board
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Westchester Med. Center shooting Page 13.
meeting, prohibits people from carrying firearms in town-owned and town-leased buildings, imposing potential fines of up to $1,000 for violators. Specifically, the legislation cites recent gun violence across the country as a major impetus for introducing and passing the regulation. “It really is a statement about safety in our community,” said Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson, a Democrat. “We should be public and vocal about not having guns in certain places and local government buildings.” Town Administrator Stephen Altieri said that the law—which went into effect on July 12—has yet to result in any fines. The
only means of enforcement, as of press time, will be signage posted in town buildings that is in the process of being created and installed. When reached by the Review this week, Scott Sommavilla, president of the Westchester Firearms Association, declined to comment specifically on the law but said the organization’s legal team is still reviewing the new regulation, as of press time. According to the legislation, the new rule will affect eight different municipal buildings including the Mamaroneck Town Center on West Boston Post Road, Hommocks Park Ice Rink and the Parks Building, located in
Memorial Park. The law also includes exemptions for some gun owners including off-duty or on-duty police officers, retired police officers, security guards employed by banks or individuals “in the service of the United States.” Last year, a proposal from the town board that sought to ban guns on town property was shelved after vehement public backlash as well as trepidation over the law’s constitutionality. That proposal looked to ban firearm possession on all town property, including public parks and other areas owned by the GUN continued on page 8
The Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office officially ruled the death of a Gabriella Boyd, 2, a homicide. Confirmation of the homicide comes after a report by the Journal News in which the lawyer for Steven Boyd, Gabriella’s father, stated that the case had been ruled a murder. The official cause of death is still undetermined and an autopsy by the county medical examiner has yet to be made public. According to the county district attorney, Gabriella Boyd’s autopsy will be presented before a grand jury. On April 28, Mamaroneck police responded to a 911 call where they found the girl severely injured at her Chestnut Avenue home in the village of Mamaroneck. According to police, when officers attempted to help Boyd, her mother, Cynthia Arce, 28, attacked the officers by brandishing a knife. Police first tased Arce, before shooting her; she was sent to intensive care due to the three nonfatal gunshot wounds and has since recovered from her injuries. Her daughter, however, was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital. As a result, Arce now faces charges that include two counts of attempted murder. No charges have been added as of press time. In the wake of Gabriella Boyd’s alleged murder, her father has filed the beginning stages of a lawsuit against the village of Mamaroneck, Mamaroneck police and Westchester County claiming law enforcement failed to properly enforce a court order granting him custody of the child.
The notice of claim, filed last month, accuses Mamaroneck police officers of negligence in enforcing a court order that would have removed Gabriella Boyd from the custody of Arce. Steven Boyd is seeking monetary damages. In particular, the claim focuses on a home visit made Steven Boyd, accompanied by police, the day prior to his daughter’s death, when Arce slammed the door on them while they were attempting to gain custody of the child. Subsequently, the officers decided to leave the residence. “Incredibly, the officers decided to leave the scene, apparently either unaware of what their duties were, in denial of them or in complete ignorance of them,” the notice of claim states. Police have stood by the actions of officers saying they acted within departmental guidelines. The little girl’s death is also being investigated by the county Child Fatality Review Team, an agency that combines members of the county departments of Health, Social Services, the medical examiner, doctors and state officials, who will review the cause of the fatality and recommend methods of prevention. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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