Mid Hudson Times Apr. 27 2016

TIMES MID Newburgh PD seeks funding for gunshot locator HUDSON Vol. 28, No 17 3 APRIL 27 - MAY 3, 2016 3 ONE DOLLAR Get ready to move! Straight sets Page 18 Page 48 SERVING NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR Green space on Broadway Safe Harbors breaks ground on Green By SHANTAL RILEY [email protected] City of Newburgh police are seeking more technology to add to their arsenal combatting a wave of gun violence seen in the city in recent months. If awarded, a federal grant would pay for a “ShotSpotter” system, which instantly provides police with real-time data showing maps, audio and precise locations of gunshots. “With this technology, we’ll have immediate reportage,” Newburgh City Manager Michael Ciaravino said at city hall on Monday. “Anywhere this technology is being used, it has shown a marked decrease in gunshots fired in communities.” The Newburgh City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to accept a $432,600 grant, if awarded, from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau for Justice Assistance to purchase the system. The audience at City Hall applauded immediately after the resolution was passed Monday. According to city police Chief Dan Cameron, the ShotSpotter system would use sensors to map a three-mile coverage area in the city. The grant application was submitted on April 20. Continued on page 4 Work on the Safe Harbors Green is expected to be completed by the end of June, with limited access until September. By SHANTAL RILEY [email protected] Shovels dug into the soil in a gesture marking the start of construction at the Safe Harbors Green on Broadway and Liberty Street. Safe Harbors of the Hudson’s halfacre park is intended to serve as a green space and encourage economic development in the City of Newburgh. Builders, city officials and project supporters attended a ground-breaking ceremony at the site on Monday. “This is a real anchor project,” said Safe Harbors of the Hudson Executive Director Lisa Silverstone. “It’s going to be a wonderful, vibrant place.” The Safe Harbors Green is designed to offer plant life, art, event space, walking paths and a peaceful place to sit and socialize. The park will boast trees, native plants, paths, lawns, benches, solar lighting and a rainwater garden for storm-water management. The entire park will be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant and sidewalks surrounding the park on WWW.MIDHUDSONTIMES.COM Liberty and Ann streets are expected to be paved in time for an early-September opening date. “This is a watershed project,” said Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy. “This says so many things about Newburgh.” Kennedy said the green provides further proof of the progress taking place in the city. “The renaissance is in progress,” she said. It doesn’t matter who the “naysayers” are, said the mayor, “They’re going to be left behind.” Continued on page 44