Democrats are scrambling for cover as a shocking scandal unravels in Mount Vernon: a former high-ranking police official, appointed under their progressive "reform" initiatives, now faces charges of attempted murder for allegedly driving the getaway car in a gang shooting involving her own son.
Jennifer Lackard, a former Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner, was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Authorities claim she and her ex-convict husband, James Lackard, drove the escape vehicle for their son, known Slutty Gang member Chase Lackard, after he opened fire on a rival gang member in the Bronx last June.
This explosive case has put Mount Vernon Democrats squarely on the defensive. Once a Republican stronghold, Westchester has drastically shifted left, becoming a Democratic bastion. Mount Vernon itself boasts a staggering 31,000 registered Democrats against a mere 2,800 Republicans. Lackard’s appointment in 2020 by Democratic Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard was emblematic of this shift. She was handed the newly created, six-figure position of deputy commissioner overseeing "wellness initiatives," despite having no prior law enforcement experience.
True to form, leading Democrats are employing a well-worn playbook of vague statements and outright denial. Governor Kathy Hochul's office offered a generic condemnation of "police misconduct" to The New York Post, pointedly refusing to address Lackard’s specific case. "Governor [Kathy] Hochul’s top priority is public safety," a spokesperson stated, adding, "Those entrusted with keeping New Yorkers safe must be held to the highest ethical and professional standards, and anyone whose actions jeopardize the critical mission of law enforcement must be investigated and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
State Sen. Jamaal Bailey provided a sliver more specificity, but quickly offered a convenient out, claiming the city "never could have predicted her behavior" when hiring her for the lucrative post. "While these allegations are unacceptable and incredibly serious, it’s important to note that it’s not possible to predict the future behavior of any employee," Bailey asserted. He then dismissed the incident as having "no bearing on how the department is viewed," an astonishing claim given the gravity of the charges against a high-ranking official.
Prosecutors describe a scene where Jennifer and James Lackard allegedly drove their gang-affiliated son to a court appearance, then circled the courthouse area, allowing him to fire from the vehicle at a rival gang member. While the target was missed, the parents then drove their son away from the scene of the attempted hit. All three have since been arrested in connection with the attempted hit.
Republicans are wasting no time calling out the glaring hypocrisy. Republican National Committee spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre sharply observed, "Democrats are the first to preach 'no one is above the law' until it screws them politically. This thug-hugging mom had no business being a police commissioner and any official who covered for her should be held to account." White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis reinforced the message: "Yet again, extreme liberal Democrats are protecting criminals over law abiding American citizens."
This isn't merely a localized crime story; it's a stark indictment of the progressive embrace of "police reform" initiatives that prioritize ideological appointments over experience and common sense. When those tasked with upholding the law are themselves accused of facilitating gang violence, it shatters public trust and exposes the profound failure of leadership that puts radical agendas ahead of genuine public safety and the rule of law. Americans deserve accountability, not damage control, when "woke" policies pave the way for such a devastating betrayal of justice.
