The Mount Vernon Police Department launched the Wellness Division in March. Possibly the first-of-its-kind – pro-active instead of reactive – police reform initiative in state of New York attacking the problem as a social issue before it becomes a criminal issue. Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Lackard joined Black Westchester on Episode 339 of its weekly talk radio show, People Before Politics, Sunday, May 1st to discuss the new Wellness & Community Affairs Division aimed at intercepting people who need services instead of handcuffs, because every call doesn’t require a badge and a gun to respond. This is the very type of initiative criminal justice reform advocates have been fighting for across the nation especially in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.
The Wellness Division is located at 203 Gramatan Ave, opened Mon-Fri from 8am-midnight. If you or someone you know is in crisis in Mount Vernon, call the Wellness Precinct at 914-465-2765. Their new website is www.mvpdwell.com.
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
