Public Safety: Prioritizing Experience, Manpower, and Community Trust
Public safety is the cornerstone of any thriving community, yet Mount Vernon faces significant challenges that threaten both residents and the dedicated officers sworn to protect them. Our police department, budgeted for 208 officers, currently operates with only 161. This severe manpower shortage leads to inadequate staffing and insufficient supervision, putting public safety at risk and creating dangerous working conditions for our officers.High turnover rates within the department exacerbate these issues. Mount Vernon’s police officers are the lowest paid in Westchester County, and poor departmental management has driven many experienced officers to seek employment elsewhere. This revolving door of talent results in a lack of institutional knowledge and experienced leadership, which are critical for effective community policing.
Community policing—the foundation of trust and partnership between law enforcement and residents—suffers when officers are overworked, undertrained, and under-supported. Without the proper resources or experienced mentors, new officers face immense challenges in building relationships with the community and responding effectively to complex situations. This dynamic poses a dual threat: it endangers the safety of citizens and undermines the well-being of the officers themselves.
As your City Council representative, I will prioritize restoring the strength and stability of our police department. This means:
- Advocating for competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain skilled officers.
- Addressing management deficiencies to improve morale and reduce turnover.
- Ensuring the department is fully staffed to meet the needs of our city.
- Promoting training programs and mentorship opportunities to support new officers and enhance their ability to serve the community effectively.