(PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK) – The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) has been fiercely advocating for legislative changes that would help Caseworkers stay safer when they’re working in our communities, especially in light of last year’s murder of CSEA Westchester County Unit Member Maria Coto.

Coto, a Senior Social Caseworker in the County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Unit, was brutally attacked in May 2024 when she knocked on the wrong door during a field visit.

She died from her injuries a month later.

Working with CSEA as legislative partners, New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg have introduced legislation to improve safety for Caseworkers.

The most pressing piece of legislation called for Caseworkers to be provided is an emergency panic button, which is available via a few different pieces of technology when working in the community.

While the legislation didn’t make it across the finish line during the most recent legislative session, CSEA has continued to advocate for its passage when Lawmakers return to Albany.

In May, Harckham and Levenberg hosted a news conference covered by several media outlets where CSEA Leaders and Coto’s Co-Workers spoke.

Westchester County Local President Hattie Adams noted the State has the opportunity to be a leader by passing this safety legislation. 

CSEA Member Christine Leoce, Coto’s supervisor and friend, recounted the heart wrenching experience of receiving notification from authorities of the attack on Coto and the subsequent weeks until she passed away.

Coto’s Aunt, Maria Gutierrez, urged Lawmakers to make passing this legislation a top priority.

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