Village searches for ways to tackle vagrancy

By MARTIN WILBUR

Mount Kisco village trustees were again confronted by residents this week looking to reduce incidents of public drinking and intoxication in the community as officials grappled with how to address the problem.

Board members raised the issue during their meeting reports and heard from people who said they have witnessed escalating levels of vagrancy and even a recent alleged drug deal on Lexington Avenue, not far from Mount Kisco Elementary School.

Several relayed firsthand accounts of public drunkenness and instances of individuals urinating and defecating in view of passersby. Robert Scorano of West Street said the intoxication has gotten so severe that he has regularly seen people passed out in broad daylight downtown, and trash is often strewn about public spaces.

“We can no longer continue putting our heads in the sand while these problems grow worse,” said Scorano, a village resident for more than 10 years. “This approach is not sustainable for our village long term.”

Some people proposed ideas, such as the county placing police officers on foot patrol, a zero-tolerance policy for public intoxication by ramping up the number of summonses that officers issue and working with the state Liquor Authority to curtail the hours businesses can sell alcohol. 

One woman told the Village Board she witnessed a possible drug transaction on Lexington Avenue recently, something that should be vigorously addressed so close to the elementary school. Mount Kisco has long been a walking community, but with the undesirable activity so rampant, many parents won’t let their teenage children walk downtown.

“The rite of passage of teens walking into town has dissipated because parents are fearful who their children will encounter,” she said.

The availability of alcohol may also be adding to the problem, said Beverly Road resident Jennifer Vallejos. She counted at least 11 businesses in the heart of downtown, many of them stores open for longer hours than most retail shops, that sell alcoholic beverages. That figure, she said, doesn’t include restaurants and bars.

“The availability of alcohol in Mount Kisco seems to be an easy grab-and-go,” Vallejos said. “It’s a situation for individuals who are seeking to purchase alcohol for consumption in public spaces. This availability combined with many late hours of operation and the lack of sufficient regulation or oversight is fueling the issue.”

Mayor J. Michael Cindrich, a retired police lieutenant, agreed that the top issue to tackle is alcohol consumption. But more police is not necessarily the answer. He also noted that the village has businesses that generate more lower-level offenses, such as the frequent shoplifting attempts at Target.

“We have more police on the street than we’ve ever had in the history of Mount Kisco,” Cindrich said. 

Trustee Tom Luzio said the village has to bring together a large assortment of stakeholders — law enforcement, the village justices, social workers, mental health professionals, Northern Westchester Hospital and organizations such as Neighbors Link and others — to devise a workable plan. He specifically mentioned the idea of bringing social workers to the village, something suggested by Deputy Mayor Karen Schleimer and Trustee Tammy Brown. However, any remedy will come with a financial cost.

Luzio also cautioned residents who might be quick to blame the state’s bail reform for playing a role. Luzio said low-level offenses such as public intoxication by itself was never something that resulted in incarceration. Making sure that the board and the Westchester County Police convene their quarterly meetings and to talk more regularly will help, he added.

He and Trustee Heather Bryant said the village must compile the data that will help them understand the depths of the problem. For example, how many individuals account for the most serious problems and now many repeat offenders are there.

Former Deputy Mayor Theresa Flora said she was disappointed that the board didn’t come better prepared with some concrete ideas to tackle the issue more quickly.

“While you’re doing that, you have to make the effort to make sure the residents are kept safe,” Flora said. “You can do your data, but at the same time, we want to see a difference here.”