Mount Vernon Police Department, NY

08/05/2026

The recent criminal charges involving former civilian Deputy Commissioner of Wellness and Reform Jennifer Lackard have raised questions about the City's hiring process and the circumstances surrounding her employment.

Jennifer Lackard was hired in July 2020 as Second Deputy Commissioner of Special Initiatives. The position was created during a pivotal period of 21st Century Policing, criminal justice reform, and nationwide calls for police reform. Although this was not a sworn law enforcement position, it was a civilian leadership role established to help strengthen trust between the Police Department and the community while supporting procedural justice and officer wellness.

Ms. Lackard brought nearly 15 years of professional experience in human services; including mental health, substance abuse treatment, DWI intervention, reentry services, community and coalition building, and criminal justice reform.

While the position was civilian in nature, Ms. Lackard was required to undergo a rigorous background investigation and employment screening, including fingerprinting, medical clearance, a driving abstract, financial disclosures, and a criminal background check. Based on the background investigation, she met the qualifications for the civilian position. There was no information that disqualified her from employment.

As part of the hiring process, information regarding her husband's prior criminal history was disclosed and reviewed and deemed not to be disqualifying for her civilian position.

No employer can predict future personal conduct. Mount Vernon has faced challenges before, and we have always responded with accountability, transparency, and resilience. We remain committed to those principles as this matter proceeds through the criminal justice system, and we will continue strengthening the institutions that serve our residents.

08/04/2026

Statement Regarding Criminal Charges Involving Former Deputy Commissioner of Wellness Jennifer Lackard

The Mount Vernon Police Department is aware of the criminal charges filed by the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office against former Deputy Commissioner of Wellness, Jennifer Lackard.

Effective immediately, the City of Mount Vernon has terminated Jennifer Lackard’s employment.

The allegations are unrelated to her duties with the Mount Vernon Police Department and do not stem from any conduct associated with the Department or the performance of her official responsibilities.

The Mount Vernon Police Department remains fully committed to its nationally recognized Wellness Unit. The department will continue to operate without interruption, and the critical wellness services and support it provides to our officers, civilian employees, their families and the community at large will continue as part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of its workforce.

As this is an active criminal matter being prosecuted by the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, the Mount Vernon Police

Department will not comment on the underlying allegations.

08/04/2026

School is almost back in session, and the safety of our children is a shared responsibility.

Starting today, Mount Vernon’s School Speed Zone Cameras will enter a 30-day warning period. During this time, drivers who exceed the speed limit in active school speed zones will receive warning notices instead of fines.

Just as it’s never acceptable to pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing, speeding through a school zone is also unacceptable. Every child deserves to arrive at school safely.

The warning period ends on September 3, the first day of school, after which violations will result in fines.

The goal of this program is simple: slow down, protect our students, and make our streets safer for everyone.

For more information about the program, camera locations, and enforcement details, visit:
http://mountvernonny.gov/schoolspeedcameras

Together, we can ensure the safety of every child as they get to and from school.

08/02/2026

🇺🇸⭐️NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2026 ⭐️🇺🇸

🚨Tuesday, August 4th
🚨5 to 8 PM
🚨Hartley Park

- Join us for an evening of community, conversation, and fun.
- Meet your officers, connect with your neighbors, and learn about the programs and partnerships working to keep Mount Vernon safe.

07/31/2026

New York State Police Release Regarding Mount Vernon Officer-Involved Shooting

The New York State Police have released additional information regarding the officer-involved shooting.

Please see their official release below.

On July 30, 2026, at about 9:50 p.m., members of the Mount Vernon Police Department responded to an apartment on East Fourth Street to execute a mental health commitment order.

07/31/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2026

Press Release
MVPD Officer-Involved Shooting During Mental Health Commitment

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. — At approximately 9:50 p.m., members of the Mount Vernon Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit (ESU) responded to a mental health commitment order involving an emotionally disturbed person (EDP) in the area of Columbus Avenue and East 4th Street.

Upon arrival, ESU officers encountered an armed individual who refused to comply. Officers immediately employed non-lethal tools in an effort to safely gain compliance. Those efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual subsequently barricaded himself inside the apartment.

Hostage negotiators and the Mount Vernon Police Department’s Wellness Division were then called to the scene. For several hours, hostage negotiations, de-escalation techniques, and wellness interventions were utilized in an effort to execute the commitment order. Despite these sustained efforts, the individual remained noncompliant.

After negotiation efforts were exhausted and threats of self-harm and harm to officers were made, officers obtained a warrant authorizing entry into the apartment.

Upon breaching the residence, ESU officers continued to deploy non-lethal tactics to no avail. Despite these efforts, the armed individual continued to pose an imminent threat to himself and responding officers, resulting in an officer discharging their department-issued firearm.

The individual was transported to a local hospital to receive medical treatment.

In accordance with protocol for officer-involved shootings, the investigation will be handled by the New York State Police, who have assumed responsibility for the case. All inquiries should be directed to them.

07/26/2026

PRESS RELEASE - JULY 26, 2026

The Mount Vernon Police Department confirms the off-duty arrest of Officer Steven Moreano, 29, by the New York City Police Department.

Moreano was arrested on July 26th on the charge of Driving While Intoxicated. The Queens County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the criminal case. All media inquiries or requests for comment regarding the charges should be directed to that office.

Officer Moreano has been suspended without pay. As a permanent civil service employee, any further disciplinary action will be handled in accordance with the procedures of the Mount Vernon Police Department and the City of Mount Vernon.

The Mount Vernon Police Department holds all officers and employees to high professional standards. The Department remains committed to serving the residents and visitors of the City of Mount Vernon with professionalism and integrity.

07/24/2026

At approximately 2:29 p.m., a 9-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene immediately after the collision.
Officers quickly responded to the area and, through the course of the investigation, located the suspect vehicle in a parking lot opposite 229 South 6th Avenue.

The driver was taken into custody without incident and placed under arrest on suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) pending further investigation and the filing of formal charges.

The child was transported to Jacobi Medical Center for treatment.

The suspect was transported to Mount Vernon Hospital for medical treatment prior to processing.

The investigation remains active. Detectives are continuing to gather evidence, review available surveillance footage, and interview witnesses to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Mount Vernon Police Department Detective Division at (914) 665-2510 or anonymously text us at TIP411 (847411). Start the message with MVPD then the message.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

07/04/2026

Happy 250th Birthday America!