Poetry
To those who chose careers to help others, when they are In their greatest need
For those of you who may not know, I did 38 years with the NYPD. I retired in January 2018. For the last seven years of my career I was the Chief of Transit Bureau. Before that, I served for 11 1/2 years as the Chief of Brooklyn South, which followed a year and a…
Read MoreThoughts: Emotional Wellness During the Covid-19 Crisis
Since this crisis began I have been trying to put out messages of support, encouragement and hope. I thank each of you for your part in that and for your constant encouragement. I have also been having a number of private conversations with people who have had the confidence to share their challenges with me…
Read MorePerfectly Imperfect
In May, 2020, going through so much uncertainty well Into the shut down of the pandemic, I had just found my new favorite place, “My Bench,” Jamaica Bay. I was walking through the trails sending messages describing the beauty to a woman I worked with in the NYPD, a friend, who was suffering badly from…
Read MoreReflection of my 11 1/2 years as the Chief of Brooklyn South, NYPD
Good afternoon everyone. Today is my 20 year anniversary becoming the Chief of Brooklyn South. Thank you Commissioner Howard Safir for having the faith to put me there. I loved working with all of the communities and I cherish the friendships I still have with so many. I’m so appreciative of all of the members…
Read MoreWhich “Zone” Are You In Now?
See the three zones that this visual suggests we may find ourselves in throughout this crisis; “Fear Zone” – anxiety, dread, anger, the “Learning Zone” – self-awareness, some acceptance, and the “Growth Zone” – empathy, giving, adaptive, self-caring. I would like to emphasize, as we go through this crisis, it’s not easy to get into…
Read MoreBigger Than We Are?
A flashlight, darkened room, and my adorable granddaughter Lia! My thoughts on this photo? Aren’t we all so much “bigger” than we think we are? Isn’t our impact more than we know? Just take for example how Lia – and all of the children in our lives – don’t really even know what “making an…
Read MoreOur Moment
Hundreds of years ago A woman stood on this beach Present, in her moment She lived her life, as I live mine now She felt the pain, the dread The worries, the uncertainty And sometimes anger And she knew a sense of wonder The joy, the happiness She knew gratitude Connection and love. Hundreds of…
Read MoreReflections During My Covid-19 Infection
Greetings everyone. I was infected with the Covid-19 virus in early March. I have of course experienced all of the stress and the isolation that everyone of us have been dealing with, as well as the disease itself. I consider myself very fortunate because I did not require hospitalization. Some days were a bit worse…
Read MoreThe Wonder of It All
I just came up from sitting on the boardwalk, having started my day at Hot Yoga Rockaway Beach. Already a wonderful and peaceful morning, it got even better with an encounter with a Mom, and her four-year-old toddler. She looked up at me, bucket in her hand and said, “I’m going to dig sand.” I…
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