A former police bigwig in Westchester County now faces serious criminal charges. Former Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner Jennifer Lackard was arrested after a botched gang drive-by in the Bronx. The incident happened on June 29, according to New York Post — US News. She is charged with attempted murder along with her ex-con husband, James Lackard.
Reports say the couple drove their 20-year-old son, Chase Lackard, to a court hearing. They then allegedly drove around the block until they spotted a rival gang member. The son is a reputed member of the “Slutty Gang.” The family was fired and arrested after this event.
Local Democrats have stayed quiet about the scandal. New York Post — US News noted that nearly a dozen prominent New York Democrats declined to comment or ignored inquiries. Some officials only gave generic answers when pressed. A spokesperson for Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Governor [Kathy] Hochul’s top priority is public safety.”
The spokesperson added that anyone jeopardizing law enforcement must be held accountable. State Sen. Jamaal Bailey called the charges “unacceptable and incredibly serious.” He said the alleged acts have “no place within our communities.” Yet he also noted that the conduct did not occur during her duties.
Republicans are not holding back their criticism. New York Post — US News quoted RNC spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre on the situation. She stated, “Democrats are the first to preach ‘no one is above the law’ until it screws them politically.” She called Lackard a “thug-hugging mom” who had no business being a police commissioner.
Baldassarre argued that any official who covered for her should face consequences. Townhall columnist Jonathan Feldstein also weighed in on the broader political crisis. He warned that the Democrat Party faces a reckoning regarding extremism within its ranks. He called for a “forceful, peaceful, and democratic purging” of harmful ideas.
Lackard was hired by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard back in 2020. She was fired after her arrest in the Bronx. Questions remain about how she kept her job despite her husband’s record. State Sen. Bailey suggested it was impossible to predict future behavior of any employee. He claimed “there was no information that disqualified her for employment” at the time.
Westchester County employs many people. A report notes that “Westchester County is responsible for approximately 4,500 county employees.” The city of Mount Vernon is a key stronghold for the party. This political value seems to explain why some leaders are avoiding the issue. The charges against the former commissioner stand as a major test for local officials. The question remains whether party loyalty will ever trump the rule of law.
