Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an ordinance adopted by the City Council on May 14, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on May 15, 2025, authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Partner with Westchester County on the STRIVE Initiative under the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service (DCJS); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING (MOU) TO PARTNER WITH
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ON THE STRIVE
INITIATIVE UNDER THE NEW YORK STATE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES (DCJS)
Whereas, in a letter dated April 2, 2025, the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety formally requested authorization for the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Westchester County and any other required entities for participation in the STRIVE Initiative, as administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS); and
Whereas, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has launched the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative to combat domestic and intimate partner violence through a comprehensive and coordinated response; and
Whereas, the STRIVE initiative is modeled after the successful Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) program and similarly requires jurisdictions to adopt evidence-based strategies and collaborate with community stakeholders to achieve measurable outcomes in public safety and victim support; and
Whereas, Westchester County has been selected as a STRIVE jurisdiction and is in the process of developing an expanded crisis intervention team to identify and assist families at the highest risk of deadly domestic violence; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon has been identified as a secondary jurisdiction within the County’s STRIVE initiative and will benefit from participation in the program through enhanced crisis intervention resources, data-informed strategies, and strengthened community partnerships; and
Whereas, participation in STRIVE aligns with the City’s commitment to protecting victims and survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence and improving its public safety infrastructure through collaborative and evidence-driven practices; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Authorization. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Westchester County and any other required entities for participation in the STRIVE Initiative, as administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
Section 2. Terms and Conditions. The MOU shall detail the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of the City in the implementation of the STRIVE Initiative, including but not limited to data sharing, strategic planning, training, inter-agency coordination, and active involvement of community and victim service organizations. The MOU shall be subject to review and approval by the Corporation Counsel prior to execution.
Section 3. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.