Astorino Claims There Is "Lawlessness" In Westchester, Despite The Statistics

A video of a robbery at the Westchester Mall is being used by former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in his campaign for Governor of New York State.

The video shows thieves mobbing the Louis Vuitton store on January 6, 2022 and making off with several handbags while the security guard looks on.

You can see it here:

Astorino posted the video on his Twitter page and said, ““The fact that it’s at The Westchester Mall as well just makes people open up their eyes that crime has to be stopped,” Astorino said. “We have to be tough on crime. What we are dealing with right now is the last two years coming home to roost where it’s basically been lawlessness.”

Despite Astorino’s charges, the fact is that crime has actually decreased in our area. According to White Plains Police Commissioner David Chong, “Crime is definitely not on the rise in White Plains,” Chong said. “Every crime statistic is actually down.”

About crime at The Westchester, the Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said, “The Westchester District Attorney’s Office is aware of report of recent thefts in The Westchester mall. We understand how incidents like this create fear and anxiety in the community. As is the practice in White Plains, the WPPD is investigating these incidents at this stage and my Office will be involved when and if charges are brought to us by the police, unless our assistance is required prior to that. If and when we receive such charges, we will evaluate them and, if appropriate, prosecute them fully with the bound of the law taking all circumstances into account.”