Law Department Reminds Us Why Compliance is Cheaper Than Defiance

As the city’s chief legal officer, I agree with the maxim “compliance is always cheaper than defiance.”

Lawsuits and payouts can have a major impact on a municipality’s bottom line.
That’s why it is essential that cities and towns implement proactive
measures to ensure residents are protected and city employees act in
accountable and transparent measures at all times.

Mount Vernon’s Law Department has worked hand-in-hand with the city’s Police
Department to ensure that officer training, policing, and oversight is
prioritized. When Mayor Thomas took office in January of 2016, he led
the implementation of President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing
Initiative. This policing model has led to a significant improvement in
police-community relations and dramatically reduced the number of
actions against the Police Department.

Unfortunately, the city still has to pay for mistakes that prior administrations made including an ill-advised deal
with a supermarket owner that former Mayor Clinton Young failed to
keep. I’m proud of the steps we are taking to ensure deals like that
never happen again.