Amthor Leads Newburgh Police Reform

By Madison Langweil

NEWBURGH – The Newburgh community gained a new Chief of the Police Department this past summer, Arnold Amthor, who instantly hit the ground running in attempt to improve the Newburgh Police Department. In part of his new role, Amthor has undertaken the time to provide new police equipment such as body worn cameras and police identification cards.
Under the praise of Mayor Torrance Harvey who told Hudson Valley Press in July that he believes Amthor and newly appointed Newburgh department’s senior advisor, Pastor Rob McLymore “will launch initiatives and programs that will turn Newburgh’s police force into a more efficient and transparent law enforcement operation,” Amthor has made the effort to continue this notion.

The virtual Police Community Relations & Review Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, set the stage for various members of the community to share their thoughts and concerns regarding new police practices. In the continuation of the Executive 203 discussion, the implementation of new body cameras and right to know cards were addressed where the structure and information displayed on those cards would be changed.

Deborah Danzy, Commuity Board Member asked, “Can we have the opportunity to see the cards as members of this board? I think it would only be right for us to review that card before it goes to print.” In response, “I am not sending this card to print until the entire city council agrees upon a design,” Amthor promised.

There are virtual know your rights sessions that can help broaden public awareness and knowledge on new laws and practices being added in addition to community updates posted on the City of Newburgh page.

“It is our responsibility to find the information that’s out there,” Community Member, Ali Muhammad said in reference to the new crime law.

“I don’t always agree with chief or people in these positions, but we have to. We cannot give opinion or argument on stuff when we don’t watch the video fully or don’t read these things. It invalidates anything we think we fully and earnestly have to say because someone that may not be as kind as this guy could easily refute what we are saying,” he said.

Another community member, Gabrielle Hill, mentioned the late Mayor Kennedy who held classes for all people of the community to discuss varying topics. “It was very helpful and increased dialogue between the community and police,” she said.

As the board, community, and police department agreed in understanding each other and creating a strong bridge of communication regarding the Executive 203 Law, Know your rights, and identification cards, the journey will be easier to make the City of Newburgh a better place.