Community Corner

After Tragedy, Westchester Will Not Host Gun Show

County seeks to bolster safety, prevent violence in the future.

In the wake of the Newtown, CT, elementary school shooting that left dozens dead—most of them children—Westchester County officials are pledging to do all they can to stamp out future acts of mass violence.

"In the days and weeks ahead, the county will review its own policies and procedures to see if anything can be done to prevent these senseless acts of violence in the future," Westchester leaders said in a press release Monday.

Among those changes is a decision not to bring the the Sportsmen Firearm and Knife Show back to the County Center in White Plains come 2013.

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"At this time as the country grieves the loss of life in Newtown, a contract renewal is not appropriate," officials said.

Shortly after the shooting, Westchester County pledged its Psychological Response Team to Newtown. The team helps residents cope with traumatic events.

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Officials said further steps may be taken to bolster county safety, too.

"Going forward, the county plans to be fully engaged in the complex and comprehensive conversation of how all Americans can continue to live in an open society while preventing all acts of violence," the release read.


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