My Dumb Observations

As a matter of principle, I believe a person should be permitted to be as reckless as one wishes with his personal protection. After all, whose life is it anyway? I not only believe, but ardently support one’s right to be personally injurious. It builds character. I’m no fan of all sorts of things that would benefit me greatly. While I recognize the utility of such, I do not endorse seatbelts, sunscreen, vitamins, motorcycle helmets, condoms, faith healing, or, hard to believe, bulletproof vests- and probably scores of other items I haven’t thunked about either. ‘My body, my choice,’ as the saying goes. I am guilty of relying on protection on many occasions. I am also not happy with burning urination either, so a balance may be in order… BUT IT IS STILL MY CHOICE! My employer thinks differently. Supervisors go through great lengths to inspect our front line defenders to ensure we are properly uniformed. A noble undertaking I must declare, but how responsive is the job at supporting thi...

Never Forget. Ten years later and I’m swirling with mixed emotions. To many, the phrase has become a cliché; a weary disclaimer that we all support because it’s polite. Kind of like sending that “Happy Holiday” mass- text and feeling satisfied because it’s the “thought that counts.” I guess the gesture is nice, but there’s a resounding sense of detachment to it all. Looking around and reflecting on my last ten years I’m even more emotional. I started September 11 th 2001 unlike most in that I was watching the towers before sunrise. An amazing beacon across the harbor, I recall staring at Lady Liberty and the nearby Twins. It was about 4 am and I was headed home from Red Hook, Brooklyn after enjoying a Monday night out. Working for the NYPD, that Monday and Tuesday was my “weekend” – they were part of my squad 1 rotating days off. Glancing passively at the skyline, I enjoyed feeling as one with my great hometown. It chills me to think today how that clouded thought was my firs...

So I'm investigating a suspicious briefcase left on a subway station platform. What makes it suspicious? I have no idea, except someone forgot it while commuting; but as long as you "See something, say something" I guess the world's a better place... Anyway, while two uniformed officers search up and down the outdoor platform  for said suspicious package, I notice an overly nosy mother/daughter team following our every move. The daughter is also wearing a cut off NYPD t shirt. So I squeeze between them, with my back to mom... "Excuse me," I say, "Did you happen to notice a tall Russian woman wearing a black blazer, black pants, and abnormally large sunglasses? She's also carrying a subway sandwich bag with a poorly made sandwich in it?" Holding back laughter while perfectly describing the mother standing only inches behind me, the daughter replies,  "No, But I will definitely keep a look out for it." "Thank you very much, an...