Archive for September 2018

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.15″] We all remember the brutal and senseless assassination of NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos on December 20, 2014. We have since learned of the amazing forethought Sanny Liu had while in the state of shock she was in at the hospital that day. On July 25, 2017,…

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.14″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.14″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.14″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.14″] Hello everyone. Each year as the September 11th anniversary approaches I notice myself keeping that emotional door shut and not giving it as much thought as maybe I need to. And each year there is something a day or two before that breaks that door wide…

Today we celebrated my uncle Louie Schlifstein‘s 106th birthday. Louie is not a blood relative but my sisters and I grew up calling him “Uncle Louie.” Louie was an NYPD sergeant and he retired in 1962. My father, a 71 Precinct cop from 1943 to 1966, often had his other cop friends over on weekends.…

What is our true legacy?   I love taking scenic photos. I’ve been lucky enough to get some nice shots over the years, but one of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken is one that has very little scenic value, but brings me to an analogy that is profound for me. Notice in this photo,…

So this is where it all began, for me. I grew up in Old Mill Basin, 5306 Avenue L. I happen to be in the area yesterday so I decided to take this photo. It evoke a number of memories, of course. One I would like to share is when I was about six years…

Hello everyone. I thought I would share some of a chat that we had with the server at dinner last night. A bubbly and upbeat person, she was very open to conversation, so much so that I wondered whether or not other people in the restaurant were waiting for their food.  She beamed when she spoke…

Years ago, a cop in the 77 Precinct, Crown Heights, caught a young boy doing something mischievous. The cop, Dave Watson, saw something in this young man. He made a decision to connect with him, rather than take enforcement action. Dave would become his mentor. Ruben Cespedes would soon become an NYPD Explorer, joining an…

More than me?   Hey friends! Below is a concept I have been working on recently, thoughts on the mindset of “interdependence.” Life can be quite rewarding and inspiring when we are able to get that point, but of course it is not always easy. We are so often pulled back to, “What about me?”…

Purposeful moments, purposeful life. Have a keen eye   Happy Saturday everyone! I would like to share something with you. Below is a text version of how I conclude all of my presentations. I hope some of you enjoy giving the concept some thought. Have a wonderful day everyone! And thank you.   By a show of…

When I became the borough commander of Brooklyn South in May of 2000, I was excited to start the planning of my first Labor Day Parade. It was a huge event, with well over a million people attending and about 8,000 cops assigned throughout the day. I decided to hold a pre-event presentation for the…