Yonkers police have a new tool in their arsenal to help them crack down on crime in some of the city's older neighborhoods. Mayor Phil Amicone has signed the Yonkers Public Nuisance Law, an ordinance that will impose penalties on all property owners, including absentee property owners and slumlords who allow criminals to operate in their buildings.

The law was first proposed in 2008 by Mayor Amicone. The goal was to give police the ability to go after owners of properties that are the sites of frequent criminal activity such as drug dealing, prostitution, weapons dealing and gang related crimes. The Yonkers City Council adopted the law two weeks ago and sent it to Amicone for his signature.

Said Amicone, "Until now, many criminals and gang members have found safe harbor in some properties whose owners allow illegal activity to fester in their buildings and terrorize the law abiding residents who simply want to live and raise their families in safe communities. Not anymore."

The Yonkers Public Nuisance Law is modeled after similar ordinances across the State that have had a positive impace on reducing crime in other cities.

Under the measure, property owners cited must go to court and answer for the criminal conditions within their buildings or face further city actions on their properties including forfeiture.

The new law takes effect immediately.