A scandal involving a former Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner accused of driving her son to a gang shooting has prompted a muted response from many New York Democrats, drawing criticism from Republicans.
Jennifer Lackard, 49, faces attempted murder charges in connection with a June 29 shooting in the Bronx. Prosecutors allege that she and her ex-con husband, James Lackard, drove their son, Chase Lackard, 20, to the Bronx for a court hearing. They are accused of then circling the block until they spotted a rival gang member, whom Chase Lackard allegedly fired upon from their SUV, missing the target before the family fled.
![New York Post front page with the headline "MOMMY & CLYDE" and photos of Jennifer Lackard and her son Chase.]( "Mommy & Clyde" headline from New York Post)
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, a Democrat, hired Lackard in 2020 for the newly created position of deputy chief of the police department’s Wellness Unit. Patterson-Howard, who is reportedly Lackard’s sorority sister, stated that Lackard underwent a “rigorous background check” and that no disqualifying information was found. She also claimed she did not meet Lackard until she applied for the city job, citing Lackard's 15 years of experience in mental health and substance abuse fields as qualifications.
Many prominent New York Democrats, including state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, state Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, and state Sen. George Latimer, declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries from The Post. A spokesperson for Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins stated that the county's focus remains on its own workforce and does not get involved in personnel issues with other municipalities.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s office issued a general statement emphasizing that those entrusted with public safety must meet the highest standards and that any actions jeopardizing law enforcement's mission must be investigated and met with accountability. State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, whose district includes part of Mount Vernon, called the allegations "unacceptable and incredibly serious" but added that the conduct did not occur during Lackard's official duties and should not reflect on the department.
Republicans have been more vocal. Republican National Committee spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre criticized Democrats for allegedly protecting individuals rather than law-abiding citizens. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis echoed this sentiment, stating that "extreme liberal Democrats are protecting criminals over law abiding American citizens."
Republican pollster John McLaughlin suggested the scandal presents an opportunity for the GOP to gain influence in Mount Vernon, a city with a significant Democratic voter base and a history of mayoral scandals, including previous federal tax evasion and state grand larceny charges against former mayors. Several Mount Vernon police officers have also faced accusations of misconduct.
Lackard was fired following her arrest. Questions persist regarding her hiring process and whether police resources were used in a prior incident involving her son, though no higher authority has called for an investigation into these matters.