There's a new mayor in the Village of Hempstead and he is looking to crack down on traffic infractions as well as making sure everyone who wants a vaccine gets one.
Waylyn Hobbs Jr. was sworn into office Monday, promising a better Hempstead.
"We don't need any more handouts," says Hobbs. "We need to come together as a community and plot our own course."
Hobbs immediately directed the police chief to beef up traffic enforcement, saying 'I'm tired of seeing cars ride through here like it's the Autobon."
The new mayor also pledged to make sure residents of the state's largest village have easier access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
"Our community was affected the most with this coronavirus, so I'm asking again, our governor, when he comes up with pop-up locations, please give us enough notice so that we can make sure when it happens in Hempstead that the residents of Hempstead get the shots before people outside of Hempstead," says Hobbs.
Hobbs says he also plans to work on getting better internet access to residents, especially senior citizens, so that they can get the vaccine.
"The last time they had a location you had to sign up online," says Hobbs. "If we have enough notice, we will provide transportation along with our houses of worship."
While some residents remain skeptical if they want to get the vaccine, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce Belinda Watkins says those who want it need to know several days ahead of time so they can get to a pop-up location.
Watkins says a better idea would be to set up a more permanent vaccine site in the parking lot outside Village Hall.