2016 New York Laws
VAT - Vehicle & Traffic
Title 7 - RULES OF THE ROAD
Article 24 - (1110 - 1117) TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS AND MARKINGS
1112 - Pedestrian-control signal indications.

 1112. Pedestrian-control  signal  indications.  Whenever pedestrians
  are controlled by pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "WALK"
  or "DON'T WALK", or exhibiting symbols of a walking person  or  upraised
  hand, such signals shall indicate and apply to pedestrians as follows:
(a)  Steady WALK or walking person. Pedestrians facing such signal may
  proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and  shall  be
  given the right of way by other traffic.
(b) Flashing DON'T WALK or upraised hand. No pedestrian shall start to
  cross  the  roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrians
  who have partially completed their  crossing  on  the  WALK  or  walking
  person  signal  shall  proceed  to a sidewalk or safety island while the
  flashing DON'T WALK or upraised hand signal is showing.
(c) Steady DON'T WALK or upraised hand. No pedestrians shall start  to
  cross  the  roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrians
  who have partially completed their crossing  on  the  WALK  or  flashing
  DON'T WALK signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the
  steady DON'T WALK signal is showing.