Pandemic, Panic, Policing, Posting and Pandering

Pandemic, Panic, Policing, Posting and Pandering
By: Don Huneke 

(A 33-year law enforcement professional, active Sergeant and representative for the Broward County PBA)

I’ve noticed that even though we are vilified, we are the first to be called and respond to the public’scries for help!  While the country is dealing with the fear of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the law enforcement community has that and a crisis of its own, suicide.  Officers are under constant attack from; the communities we serve, the media, politicians, our own agencies and yes ourselves. 

Many people would be shocked to learn that law enforcement are at the highest risk for suicide of any profession. In 2019 13 out of every 100,000 people die by suicide, 17 out of 100,000 law enforcement officers died by suicide. 

President Trump is even addressing the issue by supporting legislation to curb law enforcement suicide. Trump signed the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act. The law will make grants available to initiate peer mentoring pilot programs. The bill will also help develop resources for mental health providers on the specific challenges that LEOs face. It will also take a look into the effectiveness of crisis hotlines and annual mental health checks

Many people believe that social media could be the main culprit to the rising suicide rates amongst police officers.  Some factors are; constant bombardment of negative press, line of duty deaths, frivolous lawsuits, biased video footage, peer micromanagement and slander, increased number of law enforcement suicides. 

The; media, politicians, public, trolls and yes, our very own have created the perfect storm of stress that have pushed many officers over the edge. These people feel like they are at the point of no return! 

The law enforcement community screams that the main stream media has knee jerk reactions to incidents.They are consistently reporting; inaccurate, improper, often false information to sell stories. These are known to be big, yet fake headlines to get people to read their stories. So why are we, the law enforcement community members jumping on the vicious social media bandwagon? 

After doing a great deal of research, I have concluded that some of the contributing factors to police officer’s suicides can be prevented. Incident after incident, nationwide we are putting critical information (much of it inaccurate) on the web (social media).

Shockingly, families and friends have been alerted to officer involved shootings, injuries and even deaths long before the agencies have had a chance to notify the next of kin.  While incidents are underway, we even critique the responses and actions of the officers involved even before the dust settles. All just so someone can be first to report. I’ve often heard the phrase, “People create their own storms.” Are we in law enforcement not creating our own stress with these posts? If so, are we not partially responsible for our own mental health and the associated problems?  

Let’s look at COVID-19 alone as a topic for law enforcement creating its own storm.  Officers constantly posting about; needing guns, purchasing ammunition, stock piling food and prepping.  How do we not see that we are creating more panic for ourselves and the public, the very same people who rely on us to be clam? We are trained not tofeed into the hysteria and panic. Yet we have become part of the problem which unfortunately causes loss of faith in the community. 

The victims to this type of behavior (officers posting recklessly on social media & the web) are our own children, families, coworkers’, friends and the public. They see and feel the storm of those paranoid doomsday posts and even if they are intended as jokes,they many times fuel stress and panic. 

While researching for this article, I’ve read many; law enforcement sites, hashtags, so-called vetted law enforcement pages and personal pages of those I saw posting frequently. I found posts that would shock the sensible to think; the world was ending, nothing was safe, the officer writing the post was in grave danger (while working), that it was the end of days and that officers families were scared.  Wait, families scared? Are they serious? The law enforcement poster isperpetuating the fear themselves? Post after post about the lethality of the virus, picture after picture of them in gas masks, Tyvek, rifles at the ready, extra magazines, rounds of ammunition, stock piles of MRE’s, Even posts about overtime, cancelling days off and subjecting officers to torturous schedules that will surely garner attention and sympathy. I kept asking myself, what is the goal of the person posting these to social media? Is it attention? Is it shock? Is it to spread fear? Or is it just a social media frenzy?   Do we care or even think about what effects we have on; each other, our families and the public?

We add hashtags to get more exposure, so the post has a greater audience. I’m left to believe that this mustbe for attention. I know what you’re wondering, what are the consequences? While reading posts from the anti-law enforcement crowd, they were calling for the officers to be disciplined. At the same time, the anti-gun crowd was screaming about using red flag laws to disarm the officer posting because they deem the poster to be unstable. Is an ambiguous “take your M4 to the dance” or “target practice time” post unstable? Remember is you will post Rodney King the LAPD came under fire for MDT messages where they “kicked” a subject.  Well “kicked” in that context meant to “release” or “kick a person lose” without charges.  Communication is as much about what is said as what is heard. So who decides what the post means? 

Is the post or temporary attention worth the headache or negative attention? The possibility of work-related discipline, the fight for your gun rightsagainst Red Flag laws and anti-gun politicians. What about causing further pain or stress to one of our own who may already be at their breaking point?  

I wrote this article to bring awareness to our own part in the law enforcement suicide rates increase.There is no other option for us, when we know better we must do better! We must after action our mistakes, learn from them and correct the problem.  If we decrease our negative social media foot print and stop trying to “humanize the badge” in an uncoordinated effort that many times paints us in a negative light, we can minimize some of the stigma that pushed our own to suicide.  If we stop trying to be social media influencers for the attention and chronic alarmists then we can hopefully save some of our own.  If we concentrate on real issues, not grand stand and promote healthy dialog we can help decrease the negativity some in the law enforcement community feel about the profession and community. 

The coronavirus impacts everyone, including law enforcement

The coronavirus impacts everyone, including law enforcement

By:  Robert Foreman

Americans are finding themselves adjusting to a new normal to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Schools are closing, college and professional sports are suspending play, flight restrictions are being put into place and some people are choosing to self-quarantine themselves. Stores are seeing long lines as people are rushing out to stockpile supplies in case they have to stay inside. Of course, there are those people who are going overboard buying up as much toilet paper and hand sanitizer as they can find. How toilet paper and hand sanitizer became the two most important things in the world is beyond me.

Yet, while everyone is talking about how the coronavirus is impacting average citizens, pro athletes, politicians and celebrities no one is thinking about the impact on first responders such as law enforcement. Officers have to have direct contact with the public in the course of doing their jobs. As such, dealing with individuals who are suffering from the coronavirus adds an extra risk for law enforcement officers who are already dealing with life and death situations.

However, the media, and some other people, are trying to make the coronavirus out to be the greatest plague the world has ever known. So, let’s start out with some information regarding the virus. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the coronavirus is a respiratory illness that can be spread from person to person. Individuals who contract the virus may experience flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, coughing, fever and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing. The disease can be considered fatal for senior citizens, those with compromised immune systems or other medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes.

For first responders, particularly those in law enforcement, one has to wonder what steps to take to protect themselves from the virus. Some law enforcement agencies are ensuring that their officers have greater access to latex gloves, face masks and hand sanitizer. In California, the Department of Corrections canceled visitation hours at state prisons to prevent possible transmission of the virus. Other states will likely follow California’s lead and cancel prison visits to help stop the possible transmission of the virus into the prisons where both the officers and inmates would be at greater risk due to the confined conditions.

Of course, there are those who will use the coronavirus situation to their advantage and attempt to scam people or cause undue panic. One place that has become ripe for this behavior is on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. For those who only rely on their news from social media, which is crazy to begin with, they are particularly susceptible to fear-mongering and scams. In fact, the Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose recently addressed this matter by reminding people that causing a false public alarm will lead to criminal prosecution. Ambrose’s comments came on the heels of the first reported coronavirus related death in New Jersey.

Officers who wish to protect themselves should follow the guidelines that have been laid out by the CDC. Wear protective gloves and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at minimum 60% alcohol. Have trained medical personnel, such as EMS and EMT, treat and transport anyone that you suspect has the coronavirus. The CDC also advises people to maintain a distance of six-feet, if possible, but that is unlikely for officers who have physical contact with the general public on a daily basis.

As of this writing, the number of reported cases of coronavirus in the United States had surpassed 1700 with 41 people having died. While the United States, and the world as a whole, attempt to contain the virus the last thing people should do is needlessly panic. Taking simple precautions to limit your exposure to the virus is a good place to start. If you have to store up supplies stick with the basic items that you need. All of the toilet paper in the world isn’t going to help you if you don’t have water, food or fail to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Simply put, just be smart, remain calm and if you suspect that you may be sick get tested and self-quarantine. As for those people who FINALLY just realized that it’s a good idea to wash your hands on a regular basis, remind me not to share any food with you or eat anything you cook. Washing your hands is something you should’ve learned as a child, not as an adult.

Elphick views herself as a cop first, trailblazer last

Elphick views herself as a cop first, trailblazer last
By: Robert Foreman

 Kimberly Elphick has had a career of breaking down barriers during her time in law enforcement. After joining the Secaucus Police Department in 2003, she became the first female to obtain the rank of Sergeant in 2013. Not choosing to rest on her laurels, Elphick was promoted to Lieutenant in March 2020, making her the first female in her department to obtain that rank. However, she does not choose to view herself as a trailblazer.

 “I see myself as a law enforcement officer. I do consider many female officers before me to be trailblazers and I thank them for showing the necessity of diversity within this field. As society has evolved, so has the need for that within our profession. If someone were to doubt opportunity within law enforcement, and I can contribute to be a catapult of their motivation to go for it, I am honored,” said Elphick.  “I believe my promotions are the same for me as they are my male counterparts. I have looked forward to my new roles/responsibilities, eager to learn to be the best supervisor I can be for the men and women of my Department, because that is what they deserve.”

 Elphick added that she has not encountered any resistance during her rise in the ranks from either male or female officers. She stressed that the hiring and promotional process is both fair and thorough, and that she considers herself “lucky to be a member of a forward-moving department.”

Born and raised in Secaucus, Elphick earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Manhattan College where she also played Division I Volleyball. Additionally, she earned her Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University with Graduate Certificates in Cyber Security and Forensic Administration. While her grandfather was a Detective Lieutenant for the Hoboken Police Department, her journey to law enforcement was influenced by events far greater than family ties.

“I am also a 9/11 survivor where, as a civilian, I was employed by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Systems.  I managed corporate fitness centers in the World Trade Center and World Financial Center.  The first-hand experience of the selflessness and heroism I witnessed from the first responders that day propelled me into this field,” said Elphick.

When asked what her best and worst experiences were during her law enforcement career, Elphick noted that she does not have a moment that falls into either classification.

“Law enforcement can, by nature, be great one moment, followed by not so great the next, and vice versa. The only thing we can do to prepare for both is to continually educate ourselves and our subordinates so that we have the tools for the best outcomes possible, all while caring for ourselves,” said Elphick. “I feel my generation of law enforcement has turned into an accepting one. Misconceptions are becoming a thing of the past by any officer proving him/herself capable of the requirements. Diversity in law enforcement across gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. is growing and putting misconceptions to rest. This is useful in our profession to mirror societal norms and serve our communities more effectively. 

While there are those who have already mapped out a second career once their law enforcement days are over, Elphick is not one of them.

“I'm not certain what career path I will take, but my passion is traveling so I intend to incorporate a lot of that into my schedule,” said Elphick. 

Police Body Cameras: A Useful tool or a necessary evil?

Police Body Cameras: A useful tool or a necessary evil? 
By: Robert Foreman

The use of body cameras by police officers have now become the norm instead of the exception. However, there are some law enforcement agencies, such as the New York State Police, who have still not utilized the devices. However, that is about to change as the New York State Police announced that they are moving forward with a pilot program that will outfit the state troopers with the body cameras. It is not yet known how many of the troopers will be outfitted with the cameras when the pilot program is put into place.

While body cameras are now largely associated with law enforcement they have many uses, including in the media, military, medical and recreational fields. However, as the use of body cameras has become more prevalent they have become a hot button issue among some officers and the general public. While some officers find the cameras useful in the field, others find the devices intrusive. The use of body cameras by officers maintains a high level of support among the public who believe that it provides more transparency for law enforcement.

Of course, while many in the public view body cameras as a way to hold law enforcement officers responsible for the actions, both good and bad, one has to put themselves in the officer’s position. How would you feel having to wear a device to work that is set to record everything you say and do while you are doing your job? I doubt many people in the general public would be comfortable having to wear a body camera throughout their work day and have their actions recorded. Then again, most people are likely working in places where they are already under some form of video surveillance by their employers, but they don’t have to wear a surveillance device as officers do.

According to the website ProCon.org, public support of body cameras stems in part from the fact that the devices provide evidence that either proves or disproves police misconduct allegations. While the cameras are useful for police training, there are those who believe that the devices place undue physical and mental stress on officers who are already in high-stress jobs. There is also concern that vulnerable victims and witnesses of crimes face the risk of exposure when they are being recorded by the body cameras.

Yet, like everything else in life, there are very real pros and cons to body cameras. The pros include increased safety for both the public and the officers. Generally, both officers and the public will try to exhibit their best behavior when they know they are being recorded by a body camera. Body cameras not only improve accountability for the police, as a whole, but more importantly the footage can protect officers from false charges of misconduct. If a suspect opts to lie about an officer’s conduct during an arrest the body camera footage will immediately exonerate the officer.

On the flip side, the cons of body cameras include decreasing the safety of officers if they encounter someone who is mentally disturbed or impaired by drugs or alcohol who reacts violently to being recorded. Anyone who works in law enforcement, or has ever seen as episode of ‘COPS’, knows all too well how some people who will become belligerent, or even violent, when they know they are being recorded. In some cases, those people may be attempting to force a violent reaction from the officer to claim police brutality and deflect from their own wrongdoing. Another issue with body cameras is the price tag. Departments around the country not only have to purchase the cameras for the officers, but pay for the training, data storage facilities, maintenance and other costs. Additionally, body cameras can be unreliable due to an insufficient battery life that is often not capable of covering the full-extent of everything an officer does during their lengthy shifts.

While the debate over the use of body cameras by police officers will likely rage on, it appears that the devices will continue to be a major part of the average officer’s daily life. Body cameras are not a perfect solution to police accountability nor do they lessen the potential life and death risks that officers take whenever they encounter a violent criminal. Yet, they provide a glimpse into the human condition that includes both law enforcement officers and the public-at-large. Sometimes that glimpse is good and sometimes it is ugly. However, at the end of the day the body cameras tell the unvarnished truth without any hidden agenda. Then again, we all have to become accustomed to ‘big brother’ watching us, whether we like it or not, but that’s another topic altogether.

KOBE BRYANT & DAUGHTER KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH

Kobe Bryant & daughter killed in helicopter crash
By: Robert Foreman

NBA legend Kobe Bryant, 41, was among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday. While the world was still trying to process the news of Bryant’s sudden death, the situation became even more tragic when it was discovered that his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, perished in the crash, too. They were traveling aboard Bryant’s private helicopter to the Mamba Sports Academy for a game that Gianna was going to play in and her father was going to coach. Bryant, often considered among one of the best NBA players ever, won 5 championships with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring after the 2015-2016 season.

While the NBA had no plans to postpone or cancel games after the news of Bryant’s death, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, “The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning.  He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals. But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability.  He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organization and the entire sports world.”

Bryant, the son of former NBA player Joe Bryant, entered the NBA directly out of high school. He amassed a career that many athletes dream of, but only few ever achieve. In addition to his five championship rings, Bryant’s lengthy resume includes being ranked top-five on both the All-Time Regular season and All-Time Postseason scoring lists. His two-decade long career often created numerous debates about who was the greatest NBA player of all-time: Bryant or Michael Jordan. While that debate will likely rage on, Bryant’s untimely death will only spotlight the place he has earned in the pantheon of NBA legends.

However, Bryant’s storied career was not without controversy. In 2003, he was arrested in connection with a sexual assault investigation while in Colorado for surgery. A 19-year-old hotel employee accused the NBA star of assaulting her the night before his surgery. While Bryant, who was married, admitted to a sexual encounter with the woman he denied the rape allegation. The case would ultimately be dropped when the woman opted not to testify. Ultimately, the woman sued him in a separate civil lawsuit and the case was settled out of court with a public apology from Bryant. The apology did not include an admission of guilt from Bryant.

It’s still hard for me to believe that Bryant, often called ‘The Black Mamba’, is actually gone. I happened to be talking to someone in the store when they pulled out their phone and said “Oh sh*t. Kobe Bryant died.” I just brushed it off and told them to stop playing. I still didn’t believe it when they showed me the story on their phone. It didn’t start to become real for me until I started seeing the news on multiple sites on my phone. Even now, it still doesn’t seem real. While Kobe was retired, he was still in the prime of his life. In his post-NBA life, he was coaching at his Mamba Sports Academy. He had even won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for producing "Dear Basketball.”

Of course, I think the thing that has stunned so many people about Bryant’s death is the suddenness of it. He was just traveling with his daughter on a trip that they’ve likely taken numerous times without incident. It just goes to show how random life can be and how often we take for granted getting to and from places safely. So, while the public, media and sports fans debate Bryant’s life and legacy it should not be forgotten that there are multiple families grieving the loss of their loved ones. One can only imagine what they are going through and their pain is only exacerbated by having to deal with the media spotlight. Hopefully, the media will allow the families some privacy to grieve and make funeral arrangements. Just because Bryant was a celebrity doesn’t mean his family, or the families of the other people killed, don’t deserve some dignity and respect in their darkest hour.

VETERANS CONTINUE TO FACE UNSEEN BATTLES WHEN SERVICE ENDS

Veterans continue to face unseen battles when service ends
By: Robert Foreman

As tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, we are all praying for the brave men and women in the military who may find themselves in harm’s way. However, we often forget about the issues that our military personnel face once the battles are done and they return home. I was reminded of this when I spoke with two veterans who were raising money to help their fellow veterans that were dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). One of the veterans, who admitted to me that he suffered from PTSD, lifted his shirt and showed me where he had been wounded in Iraq. He also pointed to his shoulder where he had been shot by his former girlfriend after an argument.

Many veterans return home expecting to resume their normal lives, yet find that they run into numerous obstacles. Some may have a difficult time finding employment. Others may have to deal with the physical and emotional injuries that can lead to homelessness and suicide. Then there are those who find themselves having to battle their own government to receive the very benefits that they have earned. However, the most common issue that plagues veterans is PTSD. While anyone can develop PTSD, it is most common in people who find themselves in life or death situations, such as veterans, law enforcement and other first responders.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, a number of factors can increase the chances of someone developing PTSD. These factors, which are often not under a person’s control, can include having an intense or long-lasting traumatic event or being injured during that event. PTSD tends to be most common after specific types of trauma, such as combat or sexual assault. There are certain factors, such as age, gender and exposure to previous trauma that can determine whether an individual develops PTSD. Additionally, what a person experiences after the traumatic event, such as stress or lack of social support, will also play a role in whether they develop PTSD.

The symptoms of PTSD can be the avoidance of certain activities, emotions and places that remind someone of their traumatic experience. It can also involve the person reliving the trauma through flashbacks and nightmares. They may also find themselves having difficulty sleeping, experiencing mood swings, outbursts, self-destructive behavior and depression. Individuals may also isolate themselves from family and friends and be plagued by thoughts of suicide. So, if you have a friend or family member who has experienced a traumatic event, either in battle or in some other circumstance, it always good to keep an eye out for the aforementioned signs of PTSD.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that incidents of PTSD among veterans are influenced by the war they fought in. For example, about 15% of Vietnam veterans are currently diagnosed with PTSD and about 30% of Vietnam veterans have dealt with PTSD in their lifetimes. Whereas, about 20% of the veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year and 12% of Gulf War veterans are diagnosed. Another issue that can exacerbate PTSD among veterans is coming home to life or death jobs, such as law enforcement or firefighting. How one handles a situation on the battlefield differs from how a situation can be handled on the home front and that can lead to more stress for veterans in those two professions.

Our military personnel are flesh and blood human beings. They are our friends, family and neighbors and they deal with the same issues that we all deal with; paying rent, trying to find employment, raising families, etc. Yet, they also have to bring home the physical and mental scars of war that the rest of us do not have to contend with. So, while we celebrate the service of our veterans, we should never forget the unseen battles that many of them continue to face when they return home. For further information on PTSD go to: VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

GUT-SHOT BLUES

GUT-SHOT BLUES
By Kirk Lawless

Imagine a brother officer, in uniform, walking along the highway on the shoulder. It’s winter, and the snow is swirling. Every passing car is throwing a spray of slush on him as he slows. Occasionally facing traffic, he throws a thumb out, looking for a ride sometimes waving frantically because he needs help. As the cars and trucks pass him, he’s holding his guts in, literally. He’s spattered with blood and he’s soaked from the wound to the ground, so much so, his footprints are bright red mixing with the white snow and grey slush until they are unrecognizable as he leaves a trail behind him.

He needs help and he’s bleeding out. His intestines are spilling through his hands and he’s pleading with the passers-by to stop and help him. Maybe just for a ride, some respite from the cold, or a simple warm, quiet place to die.

Not even police cars stop to help him. No one. Some folks slow down and look shaking their heads in sympathy, but they keep moving. Others look at him covered in gore and turn away just as quickly. Maybe they’re sympathetic but don’t want to get involved.

In disbelief, he now stands motionless as the gawkers pass him by. He is defeated standing there bleeding.

Could you imagine such a scenario playing out in real life, in real-time? Would you believe nobody, not even a fellow officer, would stop and render assistance and help him hold his guts in while reassuring him that he’s going to be okay? “I got you, brother.” Sounds unbelievable. Yes?

It’s purely hypothetical. Yet, still, there is no difference between the fictitious officer and a “real” brother or sister officer suffering in silence, alienated for doing their job, wounded and needing a hand. They’ve been discarded by their agency, treated like garbage, and left walking that same lonely road waiting for someone to stop and help. Do they need their guts spilling onto the asphalt to garner assistance?

I’ve learned a lot about brotherhood, loyalty, and friendship after a PTSD diagnosis. Not too many folks want to get their hands bloody with that sort of messy injury.

I’ve been self-healing, refusing to be put down like a broke-legged horse. Instead, I am turning my hate into positivity. I’m using my life lessons as a beacon to light the way for others who have been “gut shot” by a failing system and need help to stay on course to stay alive. I’ve walked that road. As my police career ended, my path turned to positive change. I was bent but not broken. Like a healed broken bone or a cut, scarred over, my wound became stronger than the original injury. And, it’s taken ten years to figure stuff out; lots of stuff.

Without a doubt, God had other plans for me and folks have sought me out for help, guidance and advice. I was reluctant at first. I’m just a guy, but also a “no bullshit” sort of guy. I’m a good listener, and I have compassion and empathy. I could not turn my back on a brother. It’s not in my nature. I’ve accumulated lots of life experience and enjoyed a stellar police career. I’ve experienced cumulative PTSD. I know firsthand what it is, what it does, what it does to daily living and what it does to family life. I know folks who have taken their own lives. I know people who have tried. I know folks who wanted to but didn’t. I’m pretty sure I played a part in that more than once.

If you know such an officer, remember the importance of the question, “Are you okay?” You don’t have to be an expert in anything! You don’t even have to offer advice. Just listen!

Cops routinely never ask for help, but if they’re struggling, you can help:

· Phone call to check in on them

· Groceries (they may be in a financial shit storm)

· Chores ( maybe they have physical limitations)

· Give them a ride ( maybe they can’t drive)

· Prescriptions (maybe they can’t afford medicine or insurance)

· Pay a bill for them (they won’t ask), you’ll have to sneak one. You’re cops for crying out loud, figure it out!

· Drop a gift card in the mail or leave one at the house during a visit or slip one to their spouse (you don’t have to say a word).

· Talk about stuff… anything. If they want to “talk” about what’s going on, they’ll talk. If they don’t do not pressure them.

· Have a drink with them, smoke a cigar, or sit with them and watch the world go by. Just don’t abandon them. That’s the worst feeling.

It’s not rocket science folks. It’s about compassion, friendship, love, empathy, and human nature. It’s about caring about your fellow man. Frankly, if you don’t possess some of those traits, you should probably hang up your badge and choose another career path.

Now let’s get back to the fictional, wounded officer.

Eventually, a police officer on patrol will see his brother on the side of the highway “gut-shot.” After sliding in the snow while braking hard and jerking his squad to the shoulder, he jumps out and comes to his brother’s aid.

A team of motorists also stop and help lift the officer and put him in the back of a brand new SUV. The owner doesn’t think twice about the blood and guts all over the interior of his car. “We’ve got to get this boy to the hospital. No time to wait for an ambulance.” His Brooks Brothers suit splattered with blood. The suit is ruined, as he wipes his bloody hands on his jacket and climbs in. With wet blood sticky on the steering wheel, tears begin rolling down his cheeks. One of the other motorists cradles the officer’s head and helps hold his guts in, holding him tightly in the back seat, as another slams the door. “Hang in there, buddy. We got you.”

The officer pulls in front of the SUV and rolls down the passenger window and hollers at the man in the expensive suit, “If you’re ready, let’s go. Try to keep up.” The man in the SUV nods. “I’m right behind you!” The team of rescuers, not thinking twice until after the taillights disappear in the distance, discovered they too are covered with the officer’s blood.

“God, I hope he makes it,” one of them whispers to another.

Does the officer make it? You tell me.

So, if my thumb’s out and my guts are almost dragging the ground, who’ll pull over and give a brother a lift?

Mayor abruptly fires retiring Chicago Police Chief Johnson

Mayor abruptly fires retiring Chicago Police Chief Johnson

By: Robert Foreman

CHICAGO - Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot abruptly fired retiring Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson over his account of an October incident in which he was found asleep in his car after having drinks at dinner. A call had been placed to 911 on October 17th when Johnson was discovered sleeping in his car at a stop sign. Johnson was allowed to drive himself home when the responding officers determined that he was not impaired. Johnson would go on to tell reporters that he parked his car because he felt his blood pressure rising. He subsequently stated that he had been prescribed new medication for a blood clot, but he had accidentally missed a dose.

“It has become clear that Mr. Johnson engaged in a series of actions that are intolerable for any leader in a position of trust, particularly the head of the Chicago Police Department. Mr. Johnson failed the hardworking members of the Chicago Police Department, he intentionally misled the people of Chicago and he intentionally misled me. None of that is acceptable,” said Mayor Lightfoot at a news conference.

“He was not caught off guard and he had plenty of time to choose his words, and the choice he made was a communicated narrative replete with false statements all seemingly intended to hide the true nature of his conduct the evening before.”

Mayor Lightfoot added that despite her challenging Johnson’s account of events that he maintained that he was telling the truth. The Mayor noted that had she known all of the facts at the time that she would have removed him on the spot. After 30 years with the Chicago Police Department, Johnson announced in November that he would be retiring yet would remain in his job until the end of the year.

Johnson was not given a sobriety test in October and he even requested that the department launch an internal investigation into the matter. At the time, there was no immediate evidence of wrongdoing and Mayor Lightfoot even appeared at the news conference celebrating Johnson’s retirement. Mayor Lightfoot has yet to say what specific piece of information forced her to remove Johnson, but she was not willing to let him go gently into retirement. In a statement, the Chicago police union said that they understood Mayor Lightfoot’s decision and that they appreciated her desire for transparency and accountability. However, the union cautioned people against making any rush to judgement about the ousted chief.

Johnson’s three-year tenure was marked by some high-profile events that included the bogus assault claim made by actor Jussie Smollett and the Laquan McDonald trial. Both events forced Johnson, as well as the Chicago Police Department, into the spotlight. However, Johnson’s primary goal was to tackle the city’s ongoing gun violence. While the department released statistics in October that showed that murders and shootings had declined by 10% since last year those numbers have to be placed in context. Between January and September of 2019, the city experienced 1,633 shootings while recording 1,836 shootings during the same time period in 2018. So, Chicago’s reputation for gun violence, and being the ‘Wild Wild West’, continues to be well-earned.

After his abrupt firing, Johnson released a statement in which he acknowledged that he had made “a poor decision and had a lapse of judgement” in October. He also stressed that he was not going to fight with those who wanted to question his reputation now. At present, his next move is unknown. Until a permanent replacement for Johnson can be found, former LAPD Chief Charlie Beck will serve as the interim chief.

CONGRESS NOW TAKING FURTHER ACTION AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY

Congress now taking further action against animal cruelty
By  Robert Foreman

Cruelty to animals often tends to illicit a strong reaction in people, regardless of race, creed or political affiliation. As such, there have been calls to impose stricter punishments on those who abuse animals. Finally, it appears that the politicians in Washington are heeding the pleas from their constituents and are taking more action. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which would make certain types of animal cruelty a federal crime. A companion piece to PACT was introduced in the Senate and is now awaiting passage.

The bi-partisan bill is an expansion of the 2010 Animal Crushing Prohibition Act, which made it illegal to create or distribute ‘animal crushing’ videos. ‘Animal crushing’ is the brutal torture of animals, often puppies, kittens, mice and bunnies, in videos that often feature women crushing the animals in their high heels. According to CARE (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth), the videos may also include a puppy being burned alive or a cat being nailed to the floor. To be a blunt, anyone who enjoys those types of videos is a heartless bastard, mentally unstable or a combination of both.

Animal abuse crosses all barriers of race, gender and economic status, which only shows how pervasive it is throughout the country. According to The Humane Society, there is a strong connection between animal cruelty and violence against people. In one survey that was conducted, 71 percent of domestic violence victims noted that the person abusing them was also targeting their pets. Another study discovered that in 88 percent of the case where families were being investigated for physically abusing their children that the parents/caregivers were also abusing the pets.

While animal cruelty impacts various species, the most common targets are cats, dogs, horses and livestock. Numerous undercover investigations have helped to shine a light on the rampant abuse that occurs on factory farms in which livestock, such as chickens, cattle and pigs, are raised in confined and often cruel conditions. These factory farms can create health hazards due to the fact that they produce millions of gallons of manure that can create harmful air pollutants that can hurt human beings. Additionally, the overcrowded conditions make it easier for diseases to spread that can impact our food supply. Yet despite all of this, The Humane Society notes that due to the weak legal protections afforded to livestock that few people are ever prosecuted for the abuse.

Animal abuse, such as dogfighting and cockfighting, can often be associated with other crimes that can include public corruption, drug trafficking and murder. There have been documented cases in which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has prosecuted drug cartels for using dogfights and cockfighting to run their drugs. Additionally, there have been multiple instances of people getting killed during dogfighting and cockfighting matches in fights over money. Finally, there have been instances of public figures being implicated and/or arrested for taking part in these activities. The most famous, or most infamous, of them being former NFL quarterback Michael Vick.

In 2007, Vick, along with three other men, were indicted on both state and federal charges after a search of his property in Virginia uncovered evidence of a dogfighting ring. Ultimately, over 70 dogs were rescued from his property and evidence of gambling and brutal dog executions would be revealed. Vick eventually took a plea deal for his role in funding and participating in the dogfighting ring and would serve 21 months in prison. After being release from prison, Vick resumed his NFL career to the horror of many who believed that he should have been banned from the league for life. Now retired, Vick still remains one of the public faces of animal cruelty. This is due in part to what many believe is his genuine lack of real remorse for his crimes, so it is a stigma he deserves to carry.

However, the one positive thing that came out of the Vick ordeal is that it placed a very public spotlight on animal cruelty. Many of us were forced to see that animal abuse was far more widespread that we could have imagined. As a result, it seemed as if the public’s focus has shifted to the plight of the animals that are not able to tell us about the horrors that they have endured. Sadly, despite the public spotlight the statistics on animal abuse are staggering. The website DoSomething.org notes that 50 percent of the fur in the U.S. comes from China where millions of dogs and cats are skinned alive for their fur.

Additionally, the organization estimates that there are between 900 to 2,000 new cases of animal hoarding in the U.S. involving upwards to 250,000 animals. They note that over 115 million dogs, cats, mice, rabbits and other animals are killed in laboratory experiments around the world during food, chemical, cosmetic and drug tests. Finally, they added that every major circus that uses animals in their shows has been cited for violating the basic standards of care that were established by the United States Animal Welfare (AWA).

Knowing the levels of cruelty that animals are forced to endure, and the connection that it has to other forms of abuse and crime, makes the news that Congress is attempting to address the issue even more welcome. Of course, it is all too easy for people who do not own pets, or those who don’t spend a significant amount of time around animals, to close their eyes to animal cruelty. Yet, pretending that it doesn’t happen isn’t going to make the problem go away. Animal abuse of any kind should be taken seriously and reported to law enforcement immediately. Simply put, it is illegal and inhumane. Those who participate in it should be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Period.

EX-NFL STAR WILLIAMS DOING HIS PART TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

Ex-NFL star Williams doing his part to fight breast cancer

By Robert Foreman

Like many people the world over DeAngelo Williams’ life has been forever changed by breast cancer. The former NFL player’s mother, Sandra, died from breast cancer in 2006. Additionally, all four of his mother’s sisters succumbed to the disease before the age of 50. However, rather than let his grief overwhelm him Williams opted to turn his pain into action. Starting in 2015, The DeAngelo Williams Foundation began a campaign called “53 Strong for Sandra”, which was inspired by the memories of his mother and aunts. Initially, Williams chose to pay for 53 mammograms because his mother died at the age of 53.

The foundation began holding mammogram screening events in North Carolina to aid under-insured women and has since expanded the events to other states. Additionally, the foundation provides financial support for follow-up exams and treatments. In the last five years, Williams’ generosity has helped to sponsor over 500 mammograms at hospitals in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Arkansas. The former NFL running back is not just putting his name and money to a cause; he often attends the events to show his support.

For anyone who has faced breast cancer, or has watched a loved one battle the disease, it is a wrenching ordeal. According to BreastCancer.org, the statistics for breast cancer are sobering to say the least. About 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer and it is estimated that 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2019. While breast cancer is often considered a disease that impacts only women, men are also susceptible to it. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is estimated to be 1 in 883 and it is expected that 2,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2019.

While death rates related to breast cancer have declined due to treatment and earlier detection, well over 40,000 women in the U.S. are expected to die from the disease this year. Sadly, breast cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common form of cancer that women face. Breast cancer tends to strike African-American women under 45 more than white women in the same age range. In fact, African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than women from any other group.

Years ago I watched a family member face her own battle with breast cancer and it was traumatic for both her and the entire family. Within three days of her discovering a lump in her breast, she endured a biopsy, a breast cancer diagnosis and had her right breast removed. The cancer was so aggressive that she did not have time to come to terms with her diagnosis before her world was changed forever. Yet despite all that she endured she survived and her cancer has been in remission for years. However, she, like many other survivors, continues to live with the fear that the cancer may return. 

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is important that people learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation notes that many of the symptoms of breast cancer are invisible and can only be detected through a professional screening. Yet, if a woman notices abnormal changes in her nipples or breasts, she should immediately seek out a medical opinion. While my relative had no close family history of cancer, a woman who has a mother, sister or daughter that has been stricken with the disease will see her risk of developing cancer double.

Breast cancer does not have one all-encompassing form. There are different types with Metastatic breast cancer being the most commonly known. It is classified as Stage 4 breast cancer in which the disease usually spreads to the lungs, brain, bones or liver. Depending on the form of breast cancer that someone has there are five treatment options that are available. These include surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, targeted therapies and chemotherapy. Some treatments are more localized and will focus on the tumor and the surrounding area. Other treatments will target the entire body with cancer fighting agents.

That is why Williams and his foundation should be commended for the work that they are doing on the behalf of fighting breast cancer. If more professional athletes and celebrities were willing to put their fame, time and money toward making a positive impact on other people’s lives the world would be a better place. Anyone seeking further information about The DeAngelo Williams Foundation can view their website at: https://deangelowilliams34.org

PHONE SCAMMERS PRETENDING TO BE FBI AGENTS TO GRAB CASH

Phone scammers pretending to be FBI agents to grab cash

By: Robert Foreman

Phone scams are nothing new and the criminals that perpetrate them are always looking for new ways to get money from unsuspecting people. However, the latest scam has definitely caught the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigations since it involves them. Scammers are spoofing the phone numbers from multiple FBI Field Offices in an effort to extort money from unsuspecting people. The scam is simple. The caller pretends that they are with the FBI and attempts to intimidate the person into making an overdue payment to the government. In some instances, the scammer will try to convince the person that there is a federal warrant for their arrest, which will magically disappear if they pay the scammer some money.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I had no idea that this scam was going on until I recently got a voicemail from this scammer. The beginning of the message was in the middle of a sentence that mentioned ‘a judge, grand jury or magistrate for a federal criminal offense’ and then stated that ‘this is the final attempt to reach you’ and then provided a callback number so that I could ‘resolve this situation immediately’.  Naturally, I didn’t call back because my B.S. meter told me that something was shady. I immediately started to do a Google search for FBI phone scams and discovered that this has been happening for months,

Part of the reason why I didn’t bother to return the call was because I knew that I hadn’t committed a crime. Plus, I also knew that the FBI isn’t going to leave a friendly voicemail to resolve the matter if they believe that you committed a crime. They will just show up in full gear. However, there are a lot of people who won’t immediately come to the conclusion that I did and will become easy prey for the scammers. That is why it is important that people remain vigilant when it comes to both phone and Internet schemes. The criminals are counting on law-abiding citizens being afraid that they may have inadvertently done something wrong and they will use that vulnerability to their advantage.

According to the FBI’s website, the caller will often know the name, background and personal number of the intended victim. The victims may be told that their social security number has been compromised and linked to money laundering. They will also be told that their social security number has been used to open bank accounts and that the government would seize those accounts. The unsuspecting victims will then be told that they should transfer their money to protected bank accounts that have been set up by the government and that the funds will be returned when the situation is resolved. Failure to transfer the money could lead to a loss of those funds and possible arrest. The target of the scam is then informed that they should meet with a Social Security Administration Agent to receive a new SSN to open up a new bank account.

To avoid becoming a victim to the scammers, everyone should remember that the FBI does not randomly call private citizens to threaten arrest or ask for money. The FBI warns the public to be mindful of the personal information that they share online, including on social media sites. Criminals have multiple ways to obtain a victim’s name, phone numbers and other personal information, so people should be vigilant about how they dispense that information and to whom. That is why the FBI warns people to be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls and to never give money or personal information to people that you do not have personal ties to. Additionally, you should always be wary of those unknown callers who initiate contact with you and begin asking for money.

Additionally, the FBI warns people that before signing up for contests or email distribution lists that they should check to see that the business has a policy against sharing or selling your information to a third party. At the end of the day, scammers will count on people’s lack of knowledge, or trusting nature, in an attempt to take advantage of them. Never be afraid to hang up on an unknown caller, or avoid a voicemail from an unknown caller, if your instincts tell you that something doesn’t add up. I was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, so being on the lookout for shady people and scams is pretty much embedded in my DNA at this point.

The FBI advises anyone who is contacted by someone claiming to be with the FBI to verify the information with one of their local FBI Field Office. Information for the 56 FBI Field Offices can be found at www.fbi.gov. However, people should remember that when a unsolicited call does not feel right then trust your gut and either ignore it or take the necessary steps to verify whether it is legitimate or a scam. That is the best way to keep the scammers from being successful with their criminal activities.

ANOTHER OFFICER SUICIDE ROCKS CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Another officer suicide rocks Chicago Police Department
By Robert Foreman

Suicides among law enforcement personnel continue to be a growing problem in departments around the country. Some cities have seen more officers take their own lives than others. In Chicago, Officer Paul O. Escamilla, 40, recently took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Escamilla, who was off-duty, was found dead in a forest preserve. Escamilla’s death is the fourth officer suicide in the city in 2019 and the eighth since 2018. He was a 17-year-veteran of the force.

“No one should feel they are alone, or think they have nowhere to turn, especially our first responders. From the moment they put on their uniform, they answer a call that at any second may put their lives in danger or inflict trauma. That is why we, as a city, have an obligation to constantly strengthen the support network they have, and strive to end any negative perception of reaching out for help. Chicago’s first responders deserve nothing less,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot in a statement

The issue of ‘Blue Suicide’ continues to become an epidemic despite numerous attempts to provide more resources for counseling and treatment. However, those who work in law enforcement tend to find it hard to ask for help. Often times, they do not want to seem weak for admitting that they are struggling with depression, trauma, addiction or other issues. Yet, what many do not understand is that sharing your pain is not weakness. It actually shows a great deal of strength to acknowledge that you cannot carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and that you need help.

Multiple departments and organizations continue to work tirelessly to educate law enforcement personnel on how to reach out for help as well as how to prevent officer suicides. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the largest professional organization for police leaders in the world, is also tackling the issue of suicide prevention. According to their website, the IACP will be leading the national conversation around the issues of suicide and mental health issues impacting law enforcement personnel. They will be doing this through the National Consortium of Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide, which will spearhead the development of more suicide awareness and prevention tools. This will entail making policy updates, recommendations and other points of interest for the mental health of officers.

Of course, all of the resources in the world will not prevent a suicide if the person does not wish to ask for help. That is why it is so important that people be aware of the signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide. This can often be seen as a sudden change in their behavior or job performance, which may come on the heels of a traumatic loss or experience. While there is no one cause of suicide, depression is often the most common reason. That is why it is so important that people who are dealing with clinical depression get the help that they need.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention breaks down the warning signs of suicide into three categories; talk, behavior and mood. A person contemplating suicide will talk about killing themselves due to feeling hopeless or trapped and believing that they are a burden to others. Increased alcohol or drug use, researching ways to end their lives, suddenly giving away possessions and isolating themselves are some key behavioral changes that indicate a risk of suicide. As mentioned earlier, depression is often the most common reason behind suicide, but other changes in mood can be key indicators as well. This includes anxiety, loss of interest and shifting from agitation and anger to relief and improvement.

However, just knowing the potential warning signals will not help if you do not take action. Sometimes, it may be hard to accept that a friend, family member or colleague may be contemplating suicide even if you recognize the potential red flags. Often times, we may feel that we are intruding on that person and may not want to ask what may be some uncomfortable questions. Or we may just believe that whatever they are going through is temporary and none of our business. Yet, that kind of thinking does nothing to help the person in question. They may be waiting for someone to care enough to reach out and see how they are doing.  By choosing not to offer support we may find ourselves dealing with that person’s private pain in a very real way if they take their own life.

On a daily basis, officers find themselves dealing with high-stress situations in which their lives can end at a moment’s notice. While many officers are able to successfully navigate those stresses there are some who find themselves struggling to cope. That does not make them weak or inferior, and they should not be treated as if they are. So, if you see anyone exhibiting the warning signals that may indicate that they are trouble don’t be afraid to step in and try to help. Now, that doesn’t mean you should attempt to become their therapist. Sometimes, just listening to their concerns without judgement, or directing them to a professional resource, can make all of the difference in the world.

If you are currently in crisis, or you know someone who is, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For those who are more comfortable using text you can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting START to 741741. Remember, there is no shame in asking for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help for either yourself or for a fellow brother and sister in blue. You can help save a life, be it your own or someone else’s.

N.Y GIANTS FINALLY PULL THE PLUG ON 'THE ELI MANNING ERA'

 N.Y. Giants finally pull the plug on ‘The Eli Manning Era’
By: Robert Foreman

After another 0-2 start, the New York Giants finally decided to bench veteran quarterback Eli Manning. Following an ugly loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Pat Shurmur assured the media, and New York Giants’ fans, that Manning, 38, was still going to remain the starting quarterback. However, less than 24 hours later, Shurmur backpedaled and made it clear that the starting job was up in the air. The following day, the Giants made it official that Manning was being benched in favor of rookie quarterback Daniel Jones. One can only assume that Shurmur’s head-turning position on the starting quarterback job was influenced by team owner John Mara and general manager Dave Gettleman.

However, few people should be surprised that the Giants finally made a quarterback change. The handwriting was on the wall from the moment the team selected Jones with the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft. Additionally, Manning was entering the final year of his contract and the Giants made no move to offer him another extension. While Mara made it clear over the summer that he hoped that Jones would never see the field this year, it was obvious that Manning was likely going to be on a short leash in 2019. That leash turned out to be shorter than anyone suspected with the team benching the veteran quarterback after only two games.

Simply put, the Giants, one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, have been a hot mess in recent years. Since 2013, the team has only had a winning record once and that was in 2016 when they went 11-5. They’ve only made the playoffs once during that same time period and that was in 2016, as well. The numerous losing seasons have seen the Giants force out head coach Tom Coughlin, who helped them win two Super Bowls, fire head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese, and rotate out other coaching staff and players.

However, the one person that seemed virtually immune to the changes was Manning. In 2017, the Giants benched Manning for one game in favor of former Jets’ quarterback Geno Smith and to say that it was a disaster would be an understatement. Not only did the benching end Manning’s 13-year consecutive start streak at 210, but benching him in favor of Smith was seen as a smack in the face to the 2-time Super Bowl MVP. The public backlash was so severe that it forced the team to reinstate Manning and fire McAdoo and Reese before the end of the 2017 season.

Now, while Manning is by no means the only reason for the Giants’ issues, he has been a part of the problem. The Giants had been holding coaches, front office personnel and other players accountable for the team’s woes in recent years, but not Manning. While the Giants had often failed to surround Manning with good personnel, especially on the offensive line, the veteran quarterback’s play had been showing signs of some decline. Yet, the Giants continued to try and build their offense around him despite limited returns. Perhaps, they hoped that Manning had one more magical Super Bowl run left in him. Or maybe they just didn’t want to acknowledge that Manning’s best days were behind him out of loyalty. Whatever the reasons were they obviously don’t apply anymore.

Now, all eyes will turn to Jones to potentially add a spark to a listless Giants’ team.  From the moment he was drafted, it seemed as if the Giants were hoping to groom the rookie into Eli’s eventual successor. Perhaps, knowing that Jones was being drafted to eventually replace Manning is what inspired many fans to boo him. However, Jones managed to silence many of his critics with his impressive play during the preseason. Ideally, the best scenario for Jones, 22, would have been to sit on the sidelines his first year and learn behind Manning. Fate clearly had other ideas and now he finds himself set to make his debut as the Giants’ new starting quarterback in a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Personally, I believe the Giants made the right move by benching Manning. After yet another 0-2 start, which has become par for the course for the Giants, it was time to make a change. Now, the Giants could have avoided the fiasco of having to bench Manning after only two games if they had chosen to have an open QB competition during the preseason and let the best player win the job. Yet, the Giants opted to go into the season with Manning as the anointed starter and that move has now blown up in their faces. But what’s done is done, and now ‘The Daniel Jones Era’ officially begins.

But as a new era dawns, we can’t forget to acknowledge the era that is ending with Manning. The son of former quarterback Archie Manning, and the brother of future Hall of Famer, Peyton, Manning helped the Giants make an improbable Super Bowl run in 2007 that ended the New England Patriots’ quest for a perfect season. Four years later, Manning and the Giants returned to the Super Bowl and thwarted the Patriots again. Yet, those two title runs have become a distant memory in recent years as the Giants have continued to flounder.

Now, it remains a mystery whether we will ever see Manning on the field playing quarterback for the Giants again. However, if his time in New York is truly over there should be no doubt that he has more than earned his place in Giants’ history and lore. Regardless of whether he was winning championships, enduring losing seasons or being benched, Manning has always carried himself with class and grace. So, whatever the future holds for him, Manning will always be a Giant in every way that matters.

9/11: THE DAY THAT MADE AMERICA BEND, BUT NOT BREAK

9/11: The day that made America bend, but not break
By: Robert Foreman

On September 11, 2001, the world as we all knew it changed forever when terrorists launched the single worst terrorist attack in human history on American soil. The shock waves from the 9/11 attacks continue to reverberate 18 years later. How could they not?  Nearly 3,000 people were killed and over 6,000 were injured that day. First responders were among the hardest hit with 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers being killed, which made it the single deadliest incident for both professions.

Sadly, many of the firefighters and law enforcement personnel who survived the attacks have either lost their lives to 9/11-related health issues or they are continuing to fight the physical and psychological issues stemming from that day. This is what made it all the more frustrating watching these brave men and women fight Congress to receive the financial help they needed to battle their health issues. However, Congress finally got around to doing the right thing by first responders when they recently voted to fund the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund through 2092.

For those of us who were old enough to be fully-aware of what was happening on September 11th it is seared into our minds forever. I distinctly remember going outside and seeing the shell-shocked looks on people’s faces that clearly reflected my own shock. How could this be happening in America? We ultimately learned that it was 19 al-Qaeda terrorists who had pulled off the four coordinated attacks by using our own passenger planes against us. However, the entire experience just seemed incomprehensible. These were the kinds of attacks that happened in other parts of the world, but not here. Yet, it was happening here and we were watching it unfold on live television.

The four airplanes that were used by the hijackers belonged to both United Airlines and American Airlines. American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 were deliberately flown into the Twin Towers in New York while American Airlines Flight 77 was flown directly into the Pentagon in Virginia. The remaining plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was hijacked and being flown toward Washington. It is suspected that the hijackers intended to fly the plane into the White House. However, the plane crash landed in Pennsylvania after some of the passengers fought back against the terrorists. Who knows how many more lives could have been lost that day if not for the actions of those brave souls.

While watching passenger planes being flown into the Twin Towers was horrific enough for Americans to see, little did any of us know that we would watch our fellow citizens choosing to jump to their deaths to escape the burning buildings. The horror only intensified as we watched the two 110-story towers collapse one after the other, which impacted the other buildings in the World Trade Center complex. Watching people on the streets, civilians and first responders alike, attempting to outrun collapsing buildings, as debris rained down upon them and a massive cloud of toxic dust followed, was bone-chilling.

Yet this all played out while the Pentagon, the symbol of America’s military strength, was partially in flames from the plane that crashed into it. The entire day seemed like a nightmare that would not end and that was just for those of us who were at a safe distance. Imagine what thoughts were going through the minds of those people on the airplanes as they flew toward their intended targets. Or what were the last moments like for those civilians and first responders who were trapped inside the burning Twin Towers as the buildings began collapsing on top of them? None of us can ever truly know. But the reality is that no one deserves to die the way the victims of 9/11 did.

It is hard to imagine that all of the death and misery that occurred on 9/11 was orchestrated by one man: al-Queda leader Osama bin Laden. Following 9/11, the U.S. began the ‘War on Terror’ and invaded Afghanistan due to the Taliban providing safe haven for al-Queda and bin Laden to plan the attacks. However, bin Laden managed to elude capture for nearly a decade. Yet, his reign of terror ended when the U.S. located him in Pakistan and he was killed by Seal Team Six in 2011. I remember the night that the news broke that he had been killed. It seemed as if the entire country had a moment to exhale and celebrate the fact the boogeyman was dead and rotting in Hell.

Yet, bin Laden’s death could not undo the damage that he had wrought. Those who had lost their lives on 9/11 were not going to return from the dead. The people suffering from medical conditions as a result of 9/11 were not going to suddenly be healed by his death. But what his death did give many people was some sense of closure. At least we knew that he would never be able to take another innocent life. I remember when bin Laden died some people that I knew were trying to say that celebrating his death was in poor taste. My response was, and still is, a mass murderer got the inglorious death that he deserved and I’m perfectly fine with that.

Ultimately, the terrorists hoped that the 9/11 attacks would weaken the U.S. and have us trembling in fear. True, in the days following the attacks it felt, at times, that as a country our backs were against the ropes. But it didn’t remain that way for long. What the terrorists failed to realize is that regardless of our race, creed, religion or political ideologies, Americans are tough and resilient. We mourned our dead, picked ourselves back up and we fought back. We also went about rebuilding after the physical and emotional devastation that 9/11 caused. So, as we mark another anniversary of the day that made America bend we should remember that we did not break. As Americans we can, and do, rise to face any challenge thrown our way and we don’t back down. Ever. Never Forget!

HURRICANE DORIAN LEAVES BEHIND DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

Hurricane Dorian leaves behind death and destruction
By: Robert Foreman

Hurricane Dorian proved to be a slow-moving and unpredictable storm yet still left death and destruction in its wake. The southern states that were in the path of the storm, such as Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia all declared states of emergency prior to landfall. This included mandatory evacuations in numerous communities that were along the coast. Many people watched with both fear and awe as the storm gradually morphed from a Category 1 hurricane into the much-feared Category 5. Unfortunately for the Bahamas, the storm made landfall there as a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds reaching 185 mph along with massive rainfall and heavy storm surges.

To compound matters, the storm stalled over the Bahamas and battered the islands for a day. This only magnified the destruction, which some estimate will carry a price tag of $7 billion. At present, there are over 40 recorded deaths, but that number is expected to rise dramatically as the search and rescue efforts continue. Over 70,000 people have been left homeless on the islands and they are now going about the grim task of searching for missing loved ones and assessing how they are going to rebuild their lives.

After bashing the Bahamas, Hurricane Dorian made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. While no longer a Category 5 storm, it still brought 150 mph winds, heavy rains, flooding and power outages to the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia. Additionally, the storm created multiple tornadoes in some areas that only increased the swath of destruction and misery. Living in North Carolina, I did what many did and prepared for the worst. Even though I live inland, there was heavy rain, high winds and nearby areas that were hit with tornadoes. Thankfully, everyone I care about weathered the storm with no real issues. However, there are plenty of people who were not as lucky and it will take them months, if not years, to return to a sense of normalcy.

One such person is Adrian Farrington of the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. During the storm, he placed his 5-year-old son on the roof of their home for safety. Unfortunately, the boy was swept away into shark-infested waters despite his father’s best efforts to save him. Sadly, Farrington, like many other victims of the storm in the Bahamas, may never recover the bodies of their loved ones due to the storm surge that likely washed them out to sea.

While the storm brought many indelible images, one that quickly made the rounds on social media was that of a red SUV that had been abandoned on the beach in South Carolina. It turned out that the owner did not realize his vehicle had been abandoned by the family member that he had loaned it to until he was contacted by law enforcement. While the owner of the vehicle has chosen to remain anonymous, the numerous social media memes created by his abandoned red Jeep will be a rare moment of levity in the wide-spread tragedy that will be Hurricane Dorian’s final legacy.

Of course, whenever there is a natural disaster we must always remember the true heroes and that would be the first responders. As with any major crisis, the first responders have worked tirelessly for long hours to save lives. What many people tend to forget is that these first responders also have homes and families that are impacted by these natural disasters yet they still head out to save the lives of perfect strangers. These first responders are not just limited to police officers, fire fighters and EMTs. This includes the numerous public and private contractors and workers who restore power during outages, who work to clear fallen trees and debris and perform the many other duties that help communities rebuild after a massive disaster. No one should ever take the sacrifice that these brave men and women are making for granted. While others are rushing to avoid the disasters, they are rushing toward the disasters never knowing if it will cost them their lives.

After wreaking havoc in the Bahamas and in some of the southern states, Hurricane Dorian moved up the Eastern Seaboard as it headed toward Canada. Still an unpredictable system, it seems to lose and then regain strength. I think it would be fair to say that everyone will be happy when Hurricane Dorian is gone for good and is unable to cause any more harm. For those wishing to offer assistance to those impacted by the storm, there are numerous charities that you may contact including the Salvation Army and the National Association of the Bahamas. People can also make donations via the Red Cross at RedCross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

AMAZON RAINFOREST FIRES BECOMING A GLOBAL & POLITICAL CRISIS

Amazon rainforest fires becoming a global & political crisis

By Robert Foreman

The fires that have been raging across the Amazon rainforest for over a month have only recently captured the world’s attention. Many people have been calling on Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, as well as other world leaders, to take imminent action to tackle the fires before they decimate the rainforest. At the recent G-7 Summit, many world leaders pledged upwards of $20 million dollars in aid to help tackle the crisis. However, President Bolsonaro initially balked at accepting the aid unless he received an apology from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Now, at first glance one would think that no sane world leader would turn down aid to deal with a crisis that is stretching the resources of their country. However, President Bolsonaro took offense to President Macron’s criticisms of how he is handling the fires and he initially demanded an apology before he took international assistance. Now, President Bolsonaro has gotten criticism from multiple sources, but he seems to have taken the most offense to President Macron’s comments.

One of the reasons that President Bolsonaro has come under fire, no pun intended, is because he has allowed industries to have easier access to protected lands. Brazil often uses coordinated fires to help clear the land for farming, mining and ranching. This has enraged environmentalists who believe that the rainforest should be protected at all costs. Globally, there is an ongoing battle between those who want to leave some lands untouched and those who want to develop that same land for other uses, and Brazil is no different. The raging fires in the Amazon are only deepening those battle lines.

The rainforest stretches 2.1 million miles and stretches through many South American countries, including Brazil, Peru and Colombia. However, 60% of the rainforest is in Brazil, which is why President Bolsonaro has found himself the subject of much criticism. The pressure to preserve the rainforest continues to mount due to it being home to a wide-range of indigenous peoples and diverse species of wildlife. The Amazon rainforest is also the largest forest on the planet and it produces over 20 percent of the planet’s oxygen, which is why it is often called ‘The Lungs of the World.’ The fires that are currently ripping through the rainforest have spurred many to want to pitch in before there is irreversible damage.

Brazil is currently under a state of emergency and the military has been sent in to help battle the more than 26,000 forest fires raging in the Amazon. Of course, after initially rejecting the funds that were promised at the G-7, Brazil is now willing to accept the aid on the condition that it is allowed to oversee how the funds are used. Now, while President Bolsonaro has been the key focus there are others in Brazil who have taken offense with other nations telling them how they should handle the rainforest when it comes to development and environmental protection.

President Bolsonaro has stated that he believes that Brazil would be treated like “a colony or a no man’s land” if an international coalition was created to save the Amazon. While President Bolsonaro has every right to protect the interests of his own country he also has to balance that with accepting help from the international community when it is offered. It is possible to freely accept international aid while protecting the individuality of your country at the same time. Containing the fires that are threatening the lives of humans and wildlife in the Amazon rainforest should be the top priority. Once the danger has passed then everyone can let their political egos and social agendas take center stage again. 

PBA's Lynch blasts city for firing officer over Garner death

PBA's Lynch blasts city for firing officer over Garner death

By: The Blue Magazine Staff Writer

Five years ago, the names of NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo and Eric Garner became forever entwined after Garner died while being placed in Pantaleo’s perceived chokehold while resisting arrest. The incident was captured on video and drew massive media and online attention. Despite mounting public pressure, Pantaleo was not indicted by a grand jury and the Justice Department declined to press charges over Garner’s death.

Pantaleo was suspended yet kept his job, and the city reached a settlement with Garner’s family. Many assumed that the matter was essentially resolved, but that was not the case. Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill opted to dismiss Pantaleo after it was determined that he had violated a department ban on the use of chokeholds. As expected, the decision to terminate Pantaleo, and strip him of his pension, was a cause of celebration for his detractors.

However, for many of his fellow brothers and sisters in blue the dismissal was a miscarriage of justice and a slap in the face to law enforcement personnel everywhere. The most vocal critic of Pantaleo’s dismissal was the head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of the City of New York, President Patrick J. Lynch.  Lynch accused the city of not supporting its officers when they are simply doing their jobs.

“Police Commissioner O'Neill has made his choice: he has chosen politics and his own self-interest over the police officers he claims to lead. He has chosen to cringe in fear of the anti-police extremists, rather than standing up for New Yorkers who want a functioning police department, with cops who are empowered to protect them and their families. With this decision, Commissioner O'Neill has opened the door for politicians to dictate the outcome of every single NYPD disciplinary proceeding, without any regard for the facts of the case or police officers' due process rights,” said Lynch in a statement.

“He will wake up tomorrow to discover that the cop-haters are still not satisfied, but it will be too late. The damage is already done. The NYPD will remain rudderless and frozen, and Commissioner O'Neill will never be able to bring it back. Now it is time for every police officer in this city to make their own choice. We are urging all New York City police officers to proceed with the utmost caution in this new reality, in which they may be deemed 'reckless' just for doing their job. We will uphold our oath, but we cannot and will not do so by needlessly jeopardizing our careers or personal safety.”

Many in law enforcement no doubt echo Lynch’s concerns since they know that they are relying on their training while in the course of doing their jobs. They know that due to an increased focus on police misconduct that they are being scrutinized even more. So, believing that they may be thrown to the wolves in the name of politics or public relations is just another layer of stress they must deal with.

One must wonder how many officers are looking at Pantaleo’s firing and wondering if they could find themselves in the crosshairs if they are required to use force during an arrest. Should they back off and put themselves, or others, at risk by avoiding the use of any level of force? Or should they still use necessary force and potentially roll the dice with their careers if it is deemed as controversial? When officers are often called upon to make split second decisions in the line of duty they should not have to ponder whether the use of any type of force will cost them their jobs. Simply put, those doubts could cost them, or innocent civilians, their lives.

Upon the news that Pantaleo was fired, a GoFundMe page that had been set up on August 2nd reported that they it had received almost $60.000 in donations in one day. The goal of the page is to raise $150,000 to aid both Pantaleo and his family. To date, the page has received over $103,000 in donations. Anyone seeking further information on the page, or to make a donation, can go to: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/officer-daniel-pantaleos-family-legal-fund

Congress finally gives first responders a new lifeline

CONGRESS FINALLY GIVES FIRST RESPONDERS A NEW LIFELINE
By: Robert Foreman

After what has seemed like endless political debate, the Senate voted 97-2 to fund the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund through 2092. The House had already passed the funding bill weeks earlier after former Daily Show host Jon Stewart and numerous first responders essentially shamed Congress into finally taking action. Stewart, and many of the first responders, were on hand when the bill passed the final hurdle to ensure that the victims of 9/11 would finally get the permanent lifeline that they needed.

While Stewart has been considered by many to be the public face in the fight for the 9/11 Fund, John Feal has also been on the front lines of the battle from the start. Feal, a former construction worker, has worked tirelessly to get justice for himself and others impacted by 9/11. Just as Stewart shamed the House of Representatives into taking action, Feal took up a public campaign to finally force the Senate to take action and both he and Stewart did not mince words when it came to the senators who refused to support the funding bill. Feal was injured when a steel beam fell on his foot at Ground Zero and ultimately forced a partial amputation. He was denied compensation for his injury since it happened outside of a 96-hour window of the terrorist attacks. 

Feal turned his anger into action and founded the FealGood Foundation in an effort to lobby Congress to provide more funding for 9/11 first responders. The foundation is dedicated to assisting all emergency personnel workers, including volunteers, sanitation workers and construction workers, in the United States who were injured, or face serious injury, due to action or omission while performing their duties or in their daily lives. Additionally, the foundation seeks to educate lawmakers and private entities about the various problems, issues and concerns that first responders deal with on a daily basis.

While it is great news that Congress has finally done the right thing by the first responders who were impacted by 9/11, in reality it never should have taken this long. Taking care of the first responders who survived 9/11, and who have spent the ensuing years battling health issues, should have been priority number one. It’s one thing to say on TV and at campaign rallies that you honor the sacrifices that these brave men and women made. Yet, making them come hat in hand to Congress, more than once, just to get the proper compensation for their multitude of health issues is just inexcusable. Actions speak much louder than words ever could.

When the fund was initially established it paid out over $7 billion dollars in compensation for victims and their families. After much political wrangling, Congress reactivated the fund and set aside $7.4 billion dollars which was set to run through 2020. However, the onslaught of claims has strained the fund and advocates have been pushing for a more permanent lifeline. Sadly, hundreds of first responders have already lost their lives due to the health complications that resulted from Ground Zero as Congress dithered over money. If not for Stewart, Feal and the other first responders continually holding lawmakers’ feet to the fire who knows if the struggling survivors would have gotten the long-awaited justice that they deserved. Thankfully, that is a reality that we won’t have to imagine any longer. 

The new funding bill is named in honor of Luis Alvarez, James Zadroga and Ray Pfeifer, who all died from health complications that arose from their work at Ground Zero. While the three first responders did not live to see the final passage of the extension, their family, friends and former colleagues may take some small comfort in knowing that their memories and sacrifices are now immortalized in a bill that will benefit other 9/11 first responders for decades to come. Anyone wishing further information about the FealGood Foundation can visit their website: https://fealgoodfoundation.com/

Judge denies bail for registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

Judge denies bail for registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
By: Robert Foreman

Wealthy money manager Jeffrey Epstein has become a household name in recent weeks after he was arrested on federal charges for the sex-trafficking of minors in New York and Florida. Epstein, 66, had hoped to be free on bail, but the judge has forced him to cool his heels behind bars until his trial begins. The judge wisely believed that Epstein would be a flight risk and a threat to young women if he was given bail. However, this isn’t the first time that Epstein has come under scrutiny for his actions with underage females. In 2008, Epstein entered into a non-prosecution agreement in Florida after previously being accused of sexually abusing young women.

Under the terms of the Florida deal, Epstein avoided federal prosecution and served only 13 months in a private wing of a Palm Beach county jail under what was considered ‘custody with work release’. The light deal was hammered out by Alexander Acosta, who was the US Attorney for Miami at the time. Acosta eventually became the US Labor Secretary. However, after Epstein’s latest arrest more people began to question the sweetheart deal that he had gotten from Acosta. While Acosta insisted that the agreement was the best option to get Epstein registered as a sex offender, the growing backlash ultimately forced him to step down as Labor Secretary.

Personally, I had never heard of Epstein until I read the book ‘Filthy Rich’ a few years ago. The book was written by James Patterson along with reporter, and former NYPD officer, John Connolly and journalist Tim Malloy. To say that the book is an eye-opener is an understatement. Anyone looking to delve deeper into the Epstein story should definitely read it. Most people tend to think that the wealthy play by their own rules and that justice is often blind when it comes to those with money and power. That appears to be what has happened with Epstein for far too long.

Born in Brooklyn, Epstein came from humble beginnings and turned himself into the epitome of a ‘self-made man’ with all of the trappings of success. With multiple homes, a private plane and his own island, he is rumored to be worth over $500 million dollars. He has traveled in social circles that include some of the richest and most powerful people in the world. Yet, his dangerous obsession with underage girls is what has led to his downfall. In fact, the judge who denied his bail wrote, “Mr. Epstein’s alleged excessive attraction to sexual conduct with or in the presence of minor girls, which is said to include his soliciting and receiving massages from young girls and young women perhaps as many as four times a day, appears likely to be uncontrollable.”

According to published reports, the FBI had already prepared a 53-page sex crimes indictment against Epstein back in 2007. Yet it seems that Epstein’s attraction to underage girls was an open secret among many who knew him. If that is the case, then why weren’t those people sounding the alarm bells to get him locked up? Then again, it makes you wonder if the reason why some of Epstein’s rich and powerful friends didn’t turn him in was because they would find themselves implicated if they did. Before it’s all said and done, we may find a lot of dirty apples falling out of the tainted tree that is Epstein’s life.

However, Epstein is just the latest high-profile man to be brought down due to sexual misconduct during what has been dubbed the ‘Me Too Movement'. He joins the likes of Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly. Hopefully, Epstein will get the justice he deserves and will be locked away where he can’t prey on anyone else. Of course, if he somehow manages to avoid prison again for the sex trafficking of minors, some as young as 14-years-old, then it really does confirm that justice can be purchased for the right price...even if you’re already a registered sex offender.

INTERVIEW WITH P.B.A PRESIDENT PATRICK COLLIGAN

Featured Interview with New Jersey State P.B.A. President Patrick Colligan
By: Daniel Del Valle, John Welsh, George Beck, and Joseph Uliano

NJ Blue Now Magazine: What was your major goal when you first became PBA President and has that goal been accomplished?

Colligan: The major goal was re-establishing relationships with politicians. Tony Wieners at the time, and correctly so, shut the books on politicians after Chapter 78. We were let down by not only Republicans but Democrats also. But, unfortunately, you know there’s a point where you have to reestablish those relationships. So part of that was the Political Action Committee starting with the PAC fund and literally meeting every senator and assembly member over six months and Marc (Kovar) and I hit the road. I came back months later and said it is going to take a year to accomplish this, because it’s a pretty big state.

What is your major goal right now, where you sit currently in your position?

I think what’s been lacking not only in the New Jersey state PBA but almost every national law enforcement group is re-engaging the membership. I think in 2017, not only in the police field but in any organization there just seems to be less involvement and I get the people have big schedules and are dealing with families, but you know my joke is call “CrossFit” when you get in trouble, because if you can’t make it to a PBA meeting, I’ve said it and Marc has said it, everybody is the PBA, it’s not just Marc and I. We can’t vote for you, we can’t get involved locally for you. So there’s no magic bullet. What we are trying to do is education for the locals. We’re doing the Quick Book seminars. We are doing things to help the locals be successful locals. If you don’t have a successful local, you are not going to successfully negotiate a contract or deal with your administration.

What goal has been established by the PBA moving forward with a new governor in office?

Well, we have the club called Chapter 78, they hit us all over the head. My goal with the new governor and the reason we came out so early is being realistic with the 2% cap, not the arbitration cap, but the 2% property tax cap. It’s virtually impossible to reset Chapter 78 and I don’t think any politician really has that appetite, but we can get pieces of that back and that’s really the goal that I set with Phil Murphy and it’s the reason that we came out so early for him.

What can be done to make law enforcement a powerhouse player in New Jersey politics in the years to come?

You nailed the question. It’s New Jersey politics. We started the PAC, $18 per person per year. There was a point just a few months ago, where we ended up with over $800,000 in that PAC account. That PAC account was designed for this election cycle where you have every assembly person every senator and the gubernatorial race; there are only two gubernatorial races in the country this year. So that from its inception put us in play. I’d love to see a Super PAC established. It’s something we’ve been working on now for a little over a year. A Super PAC dedicated to law enforcement.

Is there a goal or a timeframe to establish the Super PAC?

The requirements to run a Super PAC are very stringent and pretty difficult to work around, so we of course want everything done legally. So we are probably within a few weeks. I was hoping to get it set for this election cycle, which is still a possibility, but it’s going to probably be too tight.

In November of 2016, there was a pro-law enforcement push created by the Trump campaign that has really taken off since being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, which was evident at the National Law Enforcement Memorial. We were there in the crowd; you were on the stage, so you saw the rally. Why should a conservative police officer cross the lines and vote for Murphy?

Well, we have a lieutenant governor, who I have said and I will say it to her face, a great woman, a nice woman and past law enforcement, I know she was an F.O.P. member, to me, I understand she was working under Chris Christie and I get that. I understand that may not be the easiest place to work, but if you are going to be a law enforcement officer, you need to stand up for law enforcement and there should have been a period, especially in the beginning when Chapter 78 was being formed. There should have been a period that she said, look the men and women of law enforcement are different, because I’ve said that in the very beginning and I’ve believed that since I put my hand on the Bible in 1992. We are different, and I don’t have to tell any of you in this room why we are different. There had to be a point where she should have stood up and said, stop, don’t hurt our men and women in law enforcement. She didn’t and to come in now in the 11th hour of the 7th and 1/2 year and say hey, I’m standing with law enforcement, I just think is disingenuous.

Again nice woman, but if you look at her website the answer should be evident to anybody in law enforcement. I’m not sure what it takes for the men and women of law enforcement in New Jersey to stand up and say stop. She wants to give us our pension, but she wants us to take the liabilities too. We have a Constitutional Right to our pensions. Why would anybody want to give that up? She talks about consolidation. It’s obvious how she feels about the 2% arbitration cap, which has literally put a belt around our necks. We have a permanent 2% cap on our salaries, we have the recruitment problem that’s evident nationwide and we’re starting to see it in New Jersey. We have additional one and half percent towards our pensions and when does it stop? She can say she’s pro-law enforcement, but her actions haven’t brought that out.

Many officers express concern for Phil Murphy’s pick for lieutenant governor, believing that Sheila Oliver doesn’t have the best interest of law enforcement in her heart. How does the P.B.A. plan to address these concerns?

We met with Phil Murphy the night he announced that and we addressed our concerns prior to that announcement. Quite frankly, it was disappointing. It was one of those things that you look back and say that that’s not where we wanted him to go. We now know from the meeting with him that it’s part of the bigger picture and I said it in my article in New Jersey Cops this month and I hate going back. I feel like it’s arguing with your wife. Your wife always brings up the past but I hate to keep bringing this up, but if we hadn’t voted as a block--law enforcement and teachers for Chris Christie--nobody would know who Sheila Oliver was. So you know, I’m not in love with the pick, but I now know the reasons why and we’re going to move forward. The lieutenant governor as we saw with the governor now, is not a position that really generates much policy and procedure. That was probably in place before she was picked, and as I also said, there is no perfect politician. We are not going to be in love with everything Murphy did or does. We’re not going to be in love with everything Trump does. Trump is going to have a major impact on the Supreme Court and those Supreme Court picks are not going to be helpful to law enforcement, so you have to take the good with the bad. If anybody is looking at these candidates and saying, oh this is the perfect pick, sorry I have some oceanfront property in Ohio to sell you.

Going back, do you believe that if you were president at the time when Christie took over that you would have a different relationship with him?

I would probably have a relationship with him, but being perfectly blunt, this was in the makings and in the works long before he took his hand off the Bible. He knew how to take out the Public Employment Relations Commission and make it the disgrace that it is and the Civil Service Commission. I think that this was a plan that was a well-established plan and I don’t know, as much and as hard as I work and as passionate as I know I am, I’m not sure if there was anybody in this seat that wouldn’t be able to stop that tidal wave what happen when Christie was elected.

You mentioned and just to go back to the super PAC and I just quoted you with the perfect pick, do you think that the intent and the objective to build a Super PAC is to at some point have the perfect pick or close to the perfect pick as we can?

You know a PAC doesn’t develop a candidate, the candidates develop themselves. So, can we look in the future at a candidate and help push them? Yeah, at some point we probably could, but I don’t want to sound like a defeatist because I’m certainly not, but there is no perfect candidate out there. It’s kind of like your chief, you end up with a great chief and as much as you like him or her and as pro-union they are, he or she may be, they have to make a difficult decision at some point. We have a state that is almost in a financial meltdown. There’s no candidate that can come in and say, yeah we’re going to roll back Chapter 78 completely and we’re going to completely fund the pension. There’s going to be a give and take. When our economy improves, which you know is the answer to a lot of our questions, then we may end up with closer to the perfect pick, but I really don’t believe that we will. I said it, is there a perfect politician? I think your readers could answer that. We know they’re not out there, but sure I’d love for Phil Murphy to be right of center on some of those issues, but we will take the good with bad right now. We have two options in 2017, and it’s either Phil Murphy or Lieutenant Governor Guadagno.

What good do you see coming out of New Jersey law enforcement today?

Well, if you look nationally, there’s been some incredibly bad press out of some areas. I’ve always said that we are better trained--that we attract a better candidate a more professional candidate--and I think that is why there’s been no major incident in New Jersey. This goes back to what I said before, as we’re starting to see a recruiting problem and my fear is with this permanent 2% cap and all the other issues surrounding New Jersey Law Enforcement. You know some Senate and Assembly people that just don’t embrace what we do and feel that we should have a 2% cap, then we’re going to get back to not attracting the best and the brightest New Jersey recruits at some point going back to what we had pervasive in the sixties, uneducated and I don’t want to say this is a blanket, because I don’t want to disrespect those that were doing a great job in the sixties, but generally we were a group that didn’t have advanced degrees and didn’t have advanced training. I think our academics are doing a great job with self-defense and less than lethal. My concern and to just get a little off topic, I see now you have the City of Camden is giving awards for not engaging some people and I hope that we’re not getting into a dangerous realm of handing out teddy bears to everybody, but we have a great group of law enforcement officers in New Jersey.

What needs to be improved upon not only in New Jersey but throughout the nation for law enforcement officers?

I think our officers have to realize that no matter whether they are on duty or off duty, in a pursuit, sitting in the car, they’re on video and we unfortunately, have been exposed to some embarrassing situations. It’s not an easy job. It’s a job that that those who aren’t in law enforcement don’t understand and unfortunately, there’s no other career on the planet where people can watch one episode of a police show and suddenly be experts on police policy and procedure. So I’d like to stay out of the press. That doesn’t help our profession. It doesn’t help moving our agenda forward. It’s difficult to see our people stealing money and you know, we just had a murder-suicide, tragically on the corrections side. I think our officers need to know that not only are they in the limelight, but they are in the limelight 24/7.

Where do you see our pension in four years and do our retired members get to see the return of COLA?

I’ve been very public about it and my number one priority is to get COLA back, because I know what it’s doing to guys and gals who retired 30 or 40 years ago. And I’ve said this to our retiree group, it’s not like I hide from the facts. Returning COLA back to the way it was will have a pretty profound and heavy hit on our pensions. I’ve said this in testimony and I’ve said this to our retirees, we need to figure out a responsible way to phase it back in. If we just turn it on, it drops the system significantly.

I never hide from my answers. I’m going to give you the answer, it may not be the answer that you like, and it’s very difficult for a retiree, whose COLA is greater than their pension, it is disheartening to me. It actually eats at me that we have retirees delivering Chinese food and driving Ubers. It is bullshit to me that we’ve disrespected our police officers and firefighters like that. So the first responsibility is to get COLA reinstated in some responsible fashion. You know, respectfully, a person that just retired a few years ago is not in the emergent situation that people who retired in the 70s and 80s are. We need to get it turned on fiscally, responsibly, and it is it is also bullshit to me that we have two police officers in the same car on two different tiers of employment. How you have a Tier 3 and Tier 1 officer in the same car, and a legislature can say that’s a good idea is a disgrace and I’ve been public about that.

So where do I see the pensions? I know we’ve developed a responsible plan to take it from the state and unfortunately, the governor didn’t sign it in the 11th hour because I think there was another chief that retired with a $500,000 check, which we don’t see. I find it amazing that with our PFRS plan to take from the state, it’s my pension too. I’ve said it, I’m not a trust fund baby, my wife is a school teacher, I’m a few months from poverty if I lose my job today, like many other cops and firemen, especially after seven years of decreases in our pay. So for those who seem to think that I’m going to make a crazy amount of money out of this, point out where it is. I just want a pension and I don’t want to be dragged down by the other systems that are there. We were always the responsible kid on the playground. When we had the opportunity to drop our side of the pension contributions, like the teachers did, we refused and it wasn’t an easy position from the State PBA President at the time to find out that, hey, we are over 100% funding, let’s reduce our pension contributions. The teachers did and then a short time after that the teachers also lowered their retirement age. So it was the death knell of their system. They were near a hundred percent funding, if they weren’t over a hundred percent funding then. So now you look, we were the responsible kids on the playground and now we know we had that close call of the blending of the systems just two years ago.

If you have the opportunity to address some of your critics what would you say to them?

I wake up in the middle of the night. I wonder what else we could do. I wonder if I’m missing something on some issues, you know we’ve had some losses, Atlantic City to me is devastating and living with that. I went down to address their PBA meeting and it was not an easy meeting. It was “what’s the PBA doing?” I stood before them saying I don’t know what else we could’ve done. Were there missteps with some of the things that we did, possibly! But I don’t lose sleep that it was something else we could have done. I just wonder if there was the magic bullet sometimes. So you have Atlantic City, you know consolidation is still on the plate and it’s something important. You know we are going to have some losses on consolidation too.

Do you see more of that coming, consolidation?

I do! This 2%, again not arbitration cap, but 2% property tax cap, is strangling some towns, some communities and it was passed to force this. It was passed to force consolidation on those towns. So to the critics, I don’t know what else I could do. I’m always open to somebody calling me and giving me an idea they have. Sometimes politically there is a reason why we can’t do something, but there are some issues that I wake up in the middle of the night that I’m fearful that we are missing something. Even with the PFRS that plan and I’ve said it at the meetings, we even went to the F.O.P., we went to the State F.O.P. meeting. It was the first time the PBA ever presented at an F.O.P. meeting. It was historic and I said to them, please tell me if I’m missing something, because I fear that when this legislature goes through and you know, it was endorsed by the two previous presidents, the F.O.P. came on board which was great, it was kind of almost like a relief and a win that okay, other than one public safety union, everybody seems to be on board with it.

You mentioned suicide earlier. What do you say to the officer that is contemplating suicide today?

That’s another frustrating issue. I sit here sometimes and I ask our professionals, what are we missing? What else can we do? Every suicide is a blow because somebody somewhere saw that, and we are a vocation.Nobody really took this job, well some did just because it’s Civil Service, but we have a special bond, a brotherhood, sisterhood. We are in an environment that unfortunately, our suicide rate is higher and I just beg people, not so much the officer that’s contemplating, but the co-workers to keep an eye out and don’t be ashamed to ask. It’s one of those frustrating things, one suicide is devastating.

The stereotypes and the stigmas are still there. The officers are afraid to get help! Is the PBA in communication with the chiefs and the directors, advising them that they have to find a way to tell our guys that they’re okay to go get help and when getting help their law enforcement career doesn’t end there?

I agree with you, but the problem is we still get those chiefs. We have the case of Frank Marchione out of Hightstown, who asked for help and then was subsequently sent to seven psychs, who I guess in their minds was lucky enough to find someone to fail him (said with a smirk).

And that becomes damaging to the other officers who may be in crisis, because now they’re afraid to go get help, due to the possible repercussions.

Yes, that has a ripple effect throughout our community, which is why Dr. Stefanelli is here at no small cost to the PBA. We spend a lot of money to have somebody here two days a week. We put a lot of effort into being able to call “Cop 2 Cop.” If you are concerned about your EAP, then come here, that’s why we’re here. I get it! Believe me! There is still a stigma. I’m not sure if that stigma will ever completely go away and yes one of the first things I did when I became president was develop a relations with Chief’s Association, which it’s like the politician, we’re not always going to agree with the chiefs, but it’s been a great partnership and you know even dealing with that quote, unquote “psychologist” up in North Jersey, who seems to be a henchman for the chiefs. We’ve even exposed that. It’s my goal to have him not evaluating anymore because the danger that he presents to our membership, the amount of people that he had terminated. Call here. We don’t want anybody to think that they’re going to have a stigma, they can come here and they can deal with it privately. This was setup as a triage, but some people are here longer terms because of those fears with their chiefs. Call me! We will find the right service for you depending on what are your issues are. I didn’t coin it, but suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem and there is always an answer, things do get better.

What do you feel or what do you think corrections should be striving for in law enforcement?

I really embraced the corrections group when I took over. Corrections has always suffered from the stigma of you know, lesser than law enforcement. I’m supporting the police title bill but not sure how much traction that’s going to get, we’ll see with the new governor. I’ve said it every time I address them, I could never walk into a jail every day. They definitely walk to the worst beat in the nation. At the end of your career, you’re locked up for a third of your life, literally. You are searched, you have no phone access, so the average law enforcement officer sitting in his or her car, I think needs to realize to put yourself in those shoes of the kind of job that really is. I know the working conditions. You are locked up. If the prisoners don’t like the jail cell, then the officers don’t either. As a matter of fact just before you guys got here, there’s a professional corrections group that I want to make sure we are going to keep, that make sure the correction chair and vice chair still want to be part of that. The first mini convention, I had a separate break out and then we had a couple of assembly people come in. I’d like to continue that as long there’s interest. They are the unsung members of law enforcement that deserve a lot more respect that they get not only from sometimes the rank of the police officers but from the general public too.

What do you want to be remembered for? What’s going to be your legacy?

I think that it’s really getting into the political process. You know, I’ve joked about it that sometimes when you’re involved in New Jersey politics you want to step away and take a shower when you are done, because sometimes it’s pretty dirty, but there is no other way to move our agenda forward if it’s not through the legislature. Yeah I might be a nice guy and yeah I can go have a drink with somebody, but at the end of the day they need money to run a campaign and we need to get our message delivered in the Senate and Assembly. We have to develop relationships with the politicians. So I think being heavily engaged in the political process put us on the map. I’d love to see this PFRS legislation put through. So hopefully we can expedite the issues of COLA and Tier 1 and Tier 3 members, so that would probably be my two top priorities.

When law enforcement is over for you where do you see yourself?

I have a dream of standing under a Sabrett hot dog umbrella until 2 pm. Seriously this is an extraordinary labor-intensive job. This job is sometimes seven nights a week, sometimes four nights a week you know it’s difficult to juggle with a family. I’m lucky that my children are a little bit older. You can’t do this with young children, and you would be doing a disservice to your family. I have a great wife, Lynette who’s a school teacher who understands why I’m out driving around the state and flying around the country, because public service to her is important and she didn’t deserve what this governor did to her. She’s a dedicated school teacher. I love this job. I love the people I work with, but we’ll see what happens at the end of my career, whether to continue a heavy work load or I want to literally stand under the Sabrett umbrella.