CEPAB
IN PUTNAM COUNTY
Hi Putnam County!
We are excited to announce the return of Putnam Culture Fest!
We are seeking volunteers, partnerships, and vendors. Please check out our events section for more details
Warm regards,
CEPAB
HISTORY
In accordance with Resolution #104, introduced by Legislator Ginny Nacerino of Putnam County on behalf of the Protective Services Committee, CEPAB was established as a public advisory board in a Regular Meeting held on June 1, 2021. Its purpose; To share concerns of the public, ensure transparency through the free flow of information and promote community engagement to foster trust, fairness, and legitimacy. As this advisory board, CEPAB cooperates with the Legislative Committees of the Putnam County Legislature. It is a community based, 501(c)3 organization located in Patterson, NY that addresses any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color and offers recommendations to the Sheriff regarding police policies and procedures.
WHO
WE ARE
CEPAB serves all of Putnam County as a team of grassroots driven organizers and volunteers who share a common goal: To identify and develop effective solutions to local police and community related issues. We engage the police and our community through events that encourage bridge building and cooperation between current and future generations of Putnam County residents and law enforcement.
THE CEPAB VISION
We envision a Putnam County where ALL residents feel included, protected, and fairly treated by law enforcement policies. As this is an on-going and evolving process, we believe this vision is best enacted through open dialogue and cooperation. Reflecting on some of the most recent national press, CEPAB recognizes that we are living in a very critical but courageous moment in history. We see an opportunity in Putnam to build a network of options for law enforcement policy changes by using an open dialogue to uncover our community’s needs and ultimately help co-create new strategies that can become policy change.
THE CEPAB MISSION
- To promote equity and safety to all Putnam County residents
- To identify growth opportunities within the community between residents and police
- To act as a liaison between the police, local government, and Putnam County residents
- To advocate for police policy changes by working with local town boards and the County Legislature to ensure key issues are addressed
PURPOSE
Guided by NYS Executive Order 203, CEPAB acts as a public accountability group whose primary responsibilities are:
Continued research and fact-finding on police policy changes with respect to EO203
To submit recommendations to the appropriate body of the Putnam County government
To provide feedback from Putnam County residents’ perspectives on the implementation of policy changes
CEPAB COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Youth
Engagement
Many young people experience incidents of harassment through racism, gender bias as well as income bias, within their community. With little recourse to address their concerns, CEPAB is creating several channels for the youth in the area to be heard and given direct resources of assistance for their issues. Not only are we listening, but we are guiding these youth by developing workshops on alternatives to actions based on anger, frustration and mistrust of local law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Understanding
Connection
BIPOC communities often feel disconnected with law enforcement and government groups and services. CEPAB will help bridge the enormous gap between underserved communities and law enforcement by inviting residents from all backgrounds to engage and share their experiences, needs, hopes and vision for a safe and thriving Putnam County. We need to know what is happening in the lives of these communities to prevent issues from developing into tragic events. As such, one of CEPAB’s prime initiatives is to clearly identify key areas to create prevention strategies. As law enforcement and local government learns more about the most pressing needs and concerns from residents, it can then fine tune its services to ensure that well-being and safety issues are not only heard- but addressed.
Giving Back
CEPAB not only works with law enforcement to bridge the gap between local police and residents, we also have created a healthy initiative of giving. In 2021, CEPAB donated close to $2000 to Second Chance Foods, a Brewster, NY non-profit organization whose food rescue program works with grocery stores and local farms to bring more fresh, healthy, and nourishing foods to those in need. We intend to continue our initiative of giving back to our community by sponsoring children at local summer camps and identifying ways CEPAB can help with local cancer centers, group homes and programs for the disabled.