Law Department Reminds Us Why Compliance is Cheaper Than Defiance

By Larry Porcari, Mount Vernon Corporation Counsel

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.