Former Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner Jennifer Lackard has been arrested and charged with assisting her son in an alleged assassination attempt on a rival. According to the indictment, Lackard coached her 20-year-old son and then drove the getaway car after he attempted to shoot another individual.
Lackard, who held a $138,219 annual salary as Deputy Police Commissioner, was reportedly responsible for the department's "Wellness Unit." Her arrest has drawn criticism regarding the hiring practices and political appointments within the Democratic party.
According to reports, Lackard's husband previously served time in federal prison for heroin dealing, and her son had a history of gang-related violence. These factors did not prevent her appointment to a significant role in law enforcement. Critics have pointed to this case as an example of what they describe as the Democratic political machine prioritizing loyalty and ideology over experience and competence in government positions.
One commentator suggested that the case exemplifies a broader trend within the Democratic party, where, according to the source, measures such as cashless bail and "restorative justice" are favored over stricter law enforcement, leading to increased public safety risks. Damon Jones, publisher of Black Westchester Magazine, was quoted expressing embarrassment over the perceived dysfunction within Mount Vernon's law enforcement and city government, particularly when people are appointed to positions they are allegedly unqualified for.
Lackard was escorted from the 44th Precinct in the Bronx following her arrest. The source claims she has been fired from her position. The case is presented as a stark illustration of the potential consequences when political appointments are made without sufficient vetting, particularly in sensitive roles within law enforcement.