February 2024 Public Safety Newsletter

Welcome!

This is the next installment of Larchmont's monthly Public Safety Newsletter! Every month, pertinent information from the Larchmont Police, Fire, and Code Enforcement Departments will be curated for the residents of our amazing village. Safety tips, events, and other highlights will be displayed. If you require any additional information you may call the Larchmont Police Station at 914-834-1000 or the Larchmont Fire Station at 914-834-0016. 

In the case of an Emergency please call 911

Larchmont Police Department

A message from

Chief of Police

Christopher McNerney

Dear Residents:

Many community members will find themselves traveling during the upcoming holiday weeks. The department would like to take this time to remind residents that neighboring communities continue to be affected by residential burglaries. This crime pattern is generally occurring between the hours of 5:00pm and 10:00pm. Burglars tend to target vulnerable homes in affluent communities. What makes a home vulnerable? The following is a partial list of obvious conditions:

• An unlighted home. Absence of lighting, especially interior lighting, indicates a home is unoccupied. *(Most common)
• Accumulated newspapers outside residence
• Mail accumulated in mailbox
• Snow un-shoveled
• Garbage cans left at street
• Packages left in plain view
• Ground floor windows left unlocked and/or open
• Residence doors left unlocked and/or open
• Garage doors left open
• No cars in driveway

This is only a partial list. In addition to addressing the above conditions, there are many steps that you can take to assist us combating this intrusive crime. Among them are:

• Take advantage of our Dark House Security Check Service
• Setting your alarm. Many times, burglary victims have alarms that were not set
• Installing exterior lights with motion sensors
• Securing valuables in discreet locations other than the master bedroom
• Partnering with the police. If you see something suspicious, call police via 914-834-1000 or 911 for emergencies

If you are aware of a neighbor(s) that may be away for an extended period of time (vacation/seasonal move), please pass along this community advisory and advise the police department of any known vulnerable premise(s).

Stay Safe.

Larchmont Fire Department

Natural Gas Safety!

Smell Gas. Act Fast.

● Smell — Natural gas smells like rotten eggs.

● Gas — If gas is in the air, a spark could cause an explosion. Don’t light a match, smoke, flip a switch, ring a doorbell, or touch appliances or electronics, including phones.

● Run — If you think there’s a leak, get everyone outside right away. If the leak is outside, move to a safe spot far away.

● Call — When you’re safe, call 911, or Con Edison 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). National Grid customers call 1-718-643-4050. Call even if the odor isn’t very strong. Don’t assume someone else has already called. You don’t have to give your name. 

For more information please download this brochure.

BE IN THE KNOW

Know the different meanings of an advisory, watch, and warning.

• Alerts are issued by regional NWS and may vary by region. NWS alerts for winter weather: 
• Winter Weather Advisory: when conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous.
• Winter Storm Watch: severe winter conditions may affect your area but the location and timing are still uncertain; issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of a potential storm.
• Winter Storm Warning: 4 or more inches of snow or sleet are expected in the next 12 hours, or 6 or more inches in 24 hours, or ¼ inch or more of ice accumulation is expected. The NWS may also issue a warning if the storm is expected to hit during high-traffic times.

Village of Larchmont Codes Bureau

Sidewalk Snow Removal

Referenced codes below can be found in the Village of Larchmont Code

245-11: Snow shall be removed, by the owner, lessee, occupant or person having charge or control of the abutting premises, from all sidewalks or continuations thereof, whether flagged, concreted or otherwise laid or unlaid, so as to leave a free, continuous passageway for a width of at least three feet, within 24 hours of the time it shall cease to fall. Upon the failure of the party or parties responsible so to do, the Village may cause the same to be removed and the cost thereof assessed against the abutting property.

Spotlight on your Emergency Services Personnel

Every month, we will be featuring one member from our Police and Fire Departments to help our residents get to know us better.

Meet Officer Matthew DiSilvestre.

Officer DiSilvestre has served as a Police Officer with the Village of Larchmont Police Department for nearly two years. He began his law enforcement career in January 2016 with the New York City Police Department, where he was assigned to the 47^th Precinct for six and a half years. 

Prior to becoming a Police Officer, Matt served four years active duty with the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in the military in 2009 following his completion of high school. Subsequent to the completion of two combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 and 2012, Matt received an honorable discharge from the service. Matt attended Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology.

Officer DiSilvestre is one of four Bicycle Patrol Officers for the Village of Larchmont and the primary Peer Support Officer within the Department.

Want to know more about our Police and Fire Departments? In the coming weeks, our Village website will be updated with the latest information. In addition, if you are on social media, you can check out the Official Larchmont Fire Department Facebook here.