Former Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner Jennifer Lackard has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a gang-related shooting in the Bronx. Authorities allege that Lackard and her husband, James Lackard, served as drivers for her son, Chase Lackard, who is identified as a member of the Slutty Gang, during an incident last June. The charges stem from an event where Chase Lackard reportedly opened fire from a vehicle at a rival gang member.
The arrest has prompted a political reaction in Westchester County, a region that has shifted politically in recent years. Lackard was appointed to the newly created deputy commissioner role in 2020 by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard as part of a police reform initiative. She had no prior law enforcement experience. The incident has drawn scrutiny from Republican officials who argue that Democratic leaders are avoiding direct engagement with the case due to its political implications in a heavily Democratic jurisdiction.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic officials in New York have responded to the charges with statements emphasizing general standards of conduct rather than addressing the specific political context of Lackard's appointment. New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office issued a statement declaring that public safety is her top priority and that anyone whose actions jeopardize the mission of law enforcement must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
State Senator Jamaal Bailey addressed the situation by noting that while the allegations are serious, they were not foreseeable at the time of hiring. Bailey stated that it is not possible to predict the future behavior of any employee. He further argued that the purported conduct did not occur during the course of or related to Lackard's duties and should have no bearing on how the police department is viewed overall.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican commentators and officials have characterized the Democratic response as evasive and politically motivated. Republican National Committee spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre stated that Democrats are the first to preach that no one is above the law until it affects them politically. She argued that the accused had no business being a police commissioner and that any official who covered for her should be held accountable.
White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis commented on the incident, stating that extreme liberal Democrats are protecting criminals over law-abiding American citizens. These statements reflect a broader critique from the right that police reform initiatives in Democratic-led areas have compromised accountability standards.
What the Numbers Show
Mount Vernon, located in Westchester County, has a significant Democratic voter registration advantage. Election data indicates the city has approximately 44,000 registered voters, with 31,000 registered as Democrats and 2,800 registered as Republicans. This demographic shift is part of a larger trend in Westchester, which was historically a Republican stronghold but has moved leftward in recent years, with the area sometimes referred to in political discussions as the 'Sixth Borough' due to its alignment with New York City politics.
The incident occurred in the Bronx, where Chase Lackard allegedly shot at a rival gang member but did not hit his intended target. All three family members—Jennifer, James, and Chase Lackard—were eventually arrested in connection with the attempted shooting. Jennifer Lackard was hired for a six-figure position overseeing the department’s wellness initiatives.
The Bottom Line
The case highlights the tension between police reform initiatives and accountability standards in jurisdictions with strong Democratic majorities. As the legal proceedings against the Lackard family move forward, political observers will watch whether local and state Democratic leaders take further specific action regarding the appointment or if the initial general statements of accountability remain the official position. The outcome may influence future debates on hiring practices for law enforcement leadership roles in New York.