Monday, December 27, 2004

GOOD DETECTIVES PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Not the uniformed ones, but the little details of an investigation that can mean the difference by failure and success.

When asked to check on parking tickets issued in an area, or 250�s issued, the good detective takes the effort required to get the full and accurate facts.

During the Son of Sam investigation, detective�s received information from a woman that a car was issued a parking ticket around the time of one of the shootings. A check of the precinct�s records proved no such summons could be found. Yet, based on the woman�s statement, the detectives believed there was such summons � it just hadn�t been turned in on time.

After numerous (emphasis stressed!) attempts to track down such a parking ticket the detectives found one, which turned out to lead them to an address in Yonkers � and the apprehension of David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

Pay attention to details. Follow up with diligence; get the accurate facts and report your findings promptly, correctly, and to the proper people.

Pay Attention To Details.


YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

You take for granted sometimes the things you learn. Just when did you learn this and that? You just did.

I�m not sure when, but I learned that when it rains the Belt Parkway sucks. So does the Interboro (Jackie Robinson). And no matter how many years some people have been coming to work along the same route (Kevin Smith), some people will still be late because it�s raining, or the Sanitation truck was blocking the street, or for some other reason.

I learned that no matter how much you try, getting detectives to sign out and into the movement log is a day to day battle. As a detective I worked with a partner who flat out refused to sign out and in; he figured if you never did, they couldn�t hold it against you. I also learned that logic is not always reasonable.

I�ve learned that no matter where you are, if you have a coffee club in the squad there will be someone who refuses to participate who will then be caught drinking the coffee. It�s just going to be, accept it.

I�ve learned, but still can�t understand, that someone will always take the last copy of an overtime slip or some other necessary form without making any copies. And forget about drawing lines in a log; you have to practically order somebody to do that.

I�ve learned that you don�t want to have a Legal Aid attorney as a robbery complainant. Not a good chance for an ID here. You can imagine the internal conflicts going on with your complainant while you�re trying to solve the case. I learned that one first hand.

I learned that a complainant who, after having a gun stuck in their face and robbed of their money, can then tell you that it �wasn�t a bad robbery, I mean at least no one got hurt�, is also not going to make a very complainant for you.

Along the way I�ve learned that no matter where the squad, you can go to the bank with the fact that the detectives who complain the most and give everyone the hardest time about everything are probably those that do the least, and those that spend all their energy telling everyone how good they are probably aren�t. Look close for the quiet and steady ones.

I learned many years ago that you cannot get a pork chop anywhere else like the one you get at Two Tom�s on Third Avenue in Brooklyn. You can�t beat the meal there anywhere. A true cop�s joint � lot�s of food at a good price.

I learned long ago, probably as a youngster from my father, that if it�s for free a cop will be there. Whether you could use it or not.

As a rookie cop I worked with a seasoned vet who went into a popular bodega once a day for a free pack of cigarettes, even though he didn�t smoke. He was probably selling them at half-price to some relative.

I learned a long time ago that the most important tool a detective has is his mouth � the ability to talk to people, and to get people to talk to them, is the true secret of being a detective. The value that some detective�s have �in the room� getting the perp to talk is irreplaceable.

And I�ve learned that no matter what he wears, Larry Eggers will look like Larry Eggers, and that if there�s any food missing from the fridge that Greg Millwater will get blamed, and that I lived long enough to see even Tony Viggiani come in late for work. Alright, I may never see Tony do that again, but everything else is sure to be.


FORENSIC NEWS UPDATE:
DNA NEWS: GRANT AIMS AT DNA ID-ING OF HUMAN REMAINS


The United States Justice Department announced the funding of 5 grants totaling more than $1.9 million to the DNA Identity Laboratory at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

The largest grant, for $750,000, will be used for an 18-month project that will focus on the DNA testing of unidentified remains and the family reference samples needed to identify them. UNTHSC personnel will work with medical examiners, coroners' offices, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Center for Missing Adults, and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States to identify and collect unidentified human remains samples and family reference samples.
Details at:

http://go.reachmail.net/rmgo.asp?tid=103772&eid=19268&sb_id=58164,58164


INTERESTING WEB SITES

Resources: Business Directories

AT&T 800att.net/dir800/AT&T 800
DIRECTORY - Provides a directory of businesses that have an 1-800 number.

Big Yellow Pagess12.bigyellow.com/

BIG YELLOW PAGES - On-line search database of yellow page listings.

World Yellow Pages: www.worldyellowpages.com
WORLD YELLOW PAGES - On-line yellow page listings.

Yellow Pages: www.yellow.com/
YELLOW PAGES - Searchable yellow page listings.

Yellow Pages Online: www.ypo.com/
YELLOW PAGES ONLINE - allows you to search yellow page listings.

Zip2 Door-to-Door: www.zip2.com
ZIP2 DOOR-TO-DOOR - Search the yellow pages. Offers a unique service whereby you may search for businesses of a particular type and it will provide you with a listing of the ones that are close to your home.


ON A HISTORICAL NOTE: POLICE OFFICERS PAY

What was the pay of a policeofficer in the 1870s & 1880s?

First, The job of a cop was considered to be a very good one as their salary was about twice the wage of the average worker.

A cop started at a salary of $800 or $900 per year, each year the salary was increased until after 5 years a patrolman made $1,200 per year.

Secondly, a patrolman was able to retire on half pay after 25 years, at a time when very few other workers had pensions.

They did work a lot of hours, about 80 or more per week. Beside walking their beat a cop had to spend time in the station house on reserve duty. He was lucky if he received one day off a month.

By the 1930s the pay of a patrolman after 5 years was $3,000 per year. In 1955, the starting pay was $3,900 per year.

Also, back in those days and up until the late 1950's, pay day was on the 1st and 15th day of the month, so that meant that there were times that a police officer had to stretch his money out over three weekends before the next check.

For many years Detective 3rd Grade did not have any increase in pay over Patrolman.

They received the same pay as a Patrolman up into the late 1950s, and then when they did receive an increase it was only $276.00 per year.

They did it for the dedication they had to the work!


ANOTHER DECEMBER

To the generation of cops who joined The Department in the Fifties, a remembrance of a tumultuous time began on December 2nd 1956 at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater when a bomb exploded and injured six people.

But, for the Bomb Squad it had started in November 1940 when the "Mad Bomber" placed his first bomb at a Con Edison facility. Then another was found.

But, this spree was short lived as the Mad Bomber- "FP" as he signed his letters (for "Fair Play"), wrote to the newspapers and NYPD to say he was suspending his bombings until the war was over because "of my patriotic feelings."

True to his word no bombs appeared over the next 9 years. In 1950 he resumed his activities and the bombs started appearing all over the place. Fortunately, many were unexploded devices.

The NYPD investigation was headed up by Insp. HOWARD FINNEY.

The investigators decided to give "psychiatric profiling" a try and turned to Dr. JAMES BRUSSEL, an Assistant Commissioner with the NY State Dept. of Mental Hygiene. What came out of this "profiling" was astounding!

Dr. Brussel reasoned that the Mad Bomber was a male, probably a former employee of Con Edison, middle aged, probably a Slav, Catholic, lived in Connecticut, was likely unmarried and living with a female relative who was not his Mother, very neat, and the most astounding revelation of all from Dr. Brussel- "and when you catch him he'll be wearing a double-breasted suit- buttoned"!

The case ended in January 1957 with the arrest of GEORGE METESKY (54) at his home in Connecticut, where he lived with his two unmarried sisters. When he got dressed to be taken back to New York City, he donned his double-breasted suit- buttoned!

Metesky was found to be insane and committed to the Matteawan Asylum For The Criminally Insane. He was released in 1973, returned to Connecticut and died in 1994 at the age of 90, with very few noting his passing.

(Thanks to Louie Hollander, publisher of the �Biehler Grams� for this contribution.)


IN MEMORIAM: P.O. CARLOS KING, TRANSIT PATROLMAN

On December 20, 1976, PO Carlos King of the New York City Transit Police Department was killed in the line of duty, as he worked off duty driving a taxi cab.

The 36 year old patrolman was working as a medallion cab driver while on vacation, and was found on a quiet Queens Village street of one-family homes, the apparent victim of a robbery.

King�s shield was out indicating he had attempted to take police action. The murderer was later arrested.

The off-duty transit patrolman, Carlos King of South Floral Park, L.I., was described as an excellent officer and hardworking family man. His wife, Evangeline, and two sons, aged 15 and 11, survive.

According to Lieut. Thomas Ahearn of the 16th Homicide Zone, the Squad Commander at the time, King had been driving cabs off duty for 10 years and was found slumped behind the wheel by a neighborhood resident in front 107-17 Monterey Street. He had been shot twice, once in the neck and once in the face.

His revolver was still in its holster.

Police officers summoned to the scene shortly after 5 A.M. found his revolver still in its holster and his shield and identification card laying next him. His empty wallet had been dropped on the floor between his feet, but 22 single dollar bills remained in his shirt pocket.

Lieutenant Ahearn also said at the time that the street where the crime was committed ended in a schoolyard about half a block away and that it was not uncommon for would be robbers to lure cab drivers to dead-end streets in areas unknown to them. He said that while the neighborhood was generally quiet, it had been troubled by "a couple of bad youth gangs" for some time.

PO King had been assigned to plainclothes duty with a Queens based Transit Police command. He had earned six commendations during his 12 years on the force, including one distinguished-duty medal for disarming a knife-wielding man on a subway train.


�LEST WE FORGET�� NYPD Memorial
�It is not how they died that makes them a hero, but how they lived their lives�.

December 27, 1944 Det Anthony McGinley, 5 DetDist, Shot-Domestic dispute
December 28, 1929 Ptl Joseph Jockel, McyDist, Shot-arrest
December 28, 1974 PO Kenneth Mahon, 41 Pct, Shot-robbery
December 28, 1978 PO David Guttenberg, 68 Pct, Shot-robbery
December 28, 1991 Sgt Keith Levine, CommDiv, Shot-robbery, off duty
December 29, 1878 Ptl Asa Furness, 10 Pct, Shot by EDP
January 2, 1932 Ptl John Kranz, Det Sqd, Shot
January 3, 1975 PO Michael McConnon, 13 Pct, Shot-robbery


Wishing all a joyous, happy and healthy New Year!

Monday, December 20, 2004

IN MEMORIAM

I recently received this e-mail. If you can read this through its entirety without a tear in your eyes, it�s probably time for you to retire, because you�ve lost your heart and soul.
I am printing it here in memory of those who are not here to read it themselves.

Her hair was up in a pony tail,her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmatesof why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to schooleager to tell them all.
About a dad she never seesa dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher calleda student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,too busy to waste his day.
"The words did not offend her,as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,slowly she began to speak.And out from the mouth of a child,came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me storieshe taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,even though we are apart
I know because he told me,he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up,and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the loveof a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down,staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,but heaven's just too far
You see he was a policemanand died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towersand taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,it's like he never went away.
"And then she closed her eyes,and she saw him there that day.
And to her mothers amazement,she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,that heaven is never too far.

They say it takes a minute to find a specialperson, an hour to appreciate them,a day to love them, but then an entirelife to forget them.

In this holiday season of happiness and cheer, please take a moment to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone before us. In some way, however small, reach out and remember.

THE 16TH PRECINCT

As it was mentioned in the last posting, here is some information on the 16th Precinct, forwarded by Retired Det1 John Reilly.

The 16th Det. Sqd to which Ptl.(Det) Turner was assigned to was located at 345 West 47th Street, Manhattan.

This was an old station house opened in 1862 as the 22nd Pct. In 1929 it became the 18th Pct., until 1940 when the 18th Pct. moved to a new station house at 306 West 54th St. This 18th precinct is today�s Midtown North Precinct.

After the 18th Pct. moved out Traffic "D" took over the Station House, until Feb. 6, 1947, when the 16th Pct. was then activated at the old 47th Street Station House.

The 16th Pct. covered from 42nd St. to 52nd Street, from 5th Ave. to the Hudson River.

In 1968, the 16th Pct. was abolished and Safety Unit "B" occupied the building until 1969, then moved to 138 West 30th St. (old 14th Pct.)

Shortly after the building was demolished. Today there is a park and playground where the old station house stood.


THE GOOD AND THE BAD

The good news is that New York City is the safest large city in America, and the world!
The good news is that crime is at its lowest in New York City in decades.
The good news is that the city has an excess of billions of dollars in its budget.
The good news is that businesses in the city are thriving, due in large part to the first two items above.
The good news is that tourism in the city is once again bringing big bucks into the city.
The bad news is, we�ll never see a decent pay raise that bring us up to the levels of our close neighbors in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Jersey City, Newark, Port Authority, �


WHO COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE?

Set the scenario.
Health Services calls the command to direct a detective to Lefrak for Random Drug Testing. Happens everyday of the week throughout the city.

Command gets the call, and seeing that the detective is due in that afternoon for a 4x1 tour, they call him at home to let him know. Perhaps he�d like to go direct to Lefrak on his way in? Certainly a reasonable assumption.

Getting the detective on the phone the command advises him of the order. �Just want to let you know you have to report to Lefrak for Random Drug Testing�.

The detective asks: �What day is the random testing for?�

This from a seasoned detective. (Ensign Pulver).



INTERESTING WEB SITE

The Department of Transportation (DOT) offers this Web site for consumers. It
provides detailed safety information about passenger vehicles, including crash test
data and rollover ratings, links to information on defects and recalls, and answers
to frequently asked questions.

http://safercar.gov


2004 CIA FACTBOOK: is now available and can be downloaded online.This site also has some nice sites/links available on

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html



KOJAK RETURNS?

It was recently reported on the AP wires that Ving Rhames signed with USA Network to do a nine-episode weekly series playing the detective commander Kojak, which is scheduled to debut in March.

This could prove to be very interesting, indeed.



FROM THE FILE OF �EVERYDAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW�

Today I learned that Target Stores has this year forbidden the Salvation Army from setting up a Santa Claus with the traditional Christmastime kettle for donations in front of any of their stores.

Seems they don�t want to appear to have any affiliation with any specific charitable and/or denominational organization.

Talk about playing the politically correct game to the max! In a scene straight out of the �Miracle of 34th Street� movie, Wal-Mart Stores has agreed to match any donations the Salvation Army collects from shoppers at their stores.

Whatever happened to �good cheer and fortune to all�?

Some things you learn you have to question what value they actually serve.

I recently learned, from a detective MOS of some rank, that an office desk has the life expectancy of fifteen to twenty years.

Just exactly how did this person find out this information? How does this help me catch bad guys? Do I really need to know this? Those were some of the questions that went through my mind at the time.

I guess that just goes to underscore why some people are here �in the game� and others are here serving some other purpose. Or something like that. Not the kind of investigative information that�s going to help you out much, just something to walk away shaking your head about.

Someone once said to me �that�s why we carry handcuffs and they wear pocket protectors�.

Everyday you learn something new.



�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

December 11, 1922 Ptl. Francis Mace, 73 Pct, Line of duty injury
December 12, 1966 Ptl Raul Yglesias, PA, Shot � off duty incident
December 13, 1932 Ptl Louis Wiendieck, Traffic B, Pursuit-injured LOD
December 14, 1932 Ptl George Gerhard, 20 Pct, Shot-robbery pursuit
December 14, 1961 Ptl Hugh Willoughby, 26 Pct, Shot- robbery, off duty
December 16, 1920 Lt Floyd Horton, 40 Pct, Shot- GLA arrest
December 16, 1981 PO Anthony Abruzzo Jr, 109 Pct, Shot- off duty robbery
December 20, 1925 Ptl Stephen McPhillips, 23 Pct, Electrocuted
December 20, 1936 Ptl James Smith, Traffic C, Auto accident on patrol
December 20, 1967 Ptl Robert Harris, HAPD, Shot- gun arrest
December 20, 1971 Ptl Carson Terry, HAPD-SI, Shot- off duty arrest
December 20, 1976 PO Carlos King, TPD-2, Shot- off duty robbery

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

BRIDGE PRECINCTS

On May 24, 1883, the first bridge crossing the East River was opened. At first it was known as the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, later just as the Brooklyn Bridge.

When the Brooklyn Bridge was opened it had its own police force, 25 men under the command of a Captain. The policemen wore no uniform, they patrolled in civilian clothes with their shields pined on their breast.

One week after the Brooklyn Bridge was opened was Decoration Day (Memorial Day) May 31, 1883. On this holiday thousands of Brooklynites and Manhattanites were enjoying a stroll on the pedestrian walkway of the bridge. Suddenly a woman fell after she had lost her footing while descending a stairway. A bridge policeman in civilian clothes helped the woman and half-carried her to one side and down the rest of the stairway. Another woman who though that the woman was being molested screamed, someone else in the throng called out that the bridge was falling, the strollers now became a panic stricken mob fighting to get off the bridge. Before order was restored 12 people including a little boy were trampled to death, scores of other strollers were injured.

The next day, June 1, 1883, The New York Times was very critical of the Bridge Police Force and quoted the Commission of the City of Brooklyn Police as saying that the Bridge Police should come under the control of the regular police. On July 9, 1883, at a meeting of the Trustees of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, counsel advised the board it only held the authority to appoint bridge policemen. So for the next fifteen years the Brooklyn Bridge police force was separate from both the Brooklyn and New York City police department.

The Brooklyn Bridge Police Force was increased in number to about 100 men, became uniformed and well trained. This all ended on Jan. 1, 1898, when Greater New York was formed and all the police forces in the city were brought into the New York City Police Department.

At first the Brooklyn Bridge was known as the 4th Precinct, later as other bridges were constructed over the East River, various other designations were used until 1929 when all the East Rive bridges became Traffic Precinct L. The bridge police were part of the Traffic Division and had responsibility for the control of traffic on the bridges and the approaches to the bridges.

(Thanks to Ret. Det1 John Reilly for this departmental historical info.)


HISTORICALLY SPEAKING: JUNE 1956

What was going on around the department in June 1956?

A review of the department�s journal, SPRING 3100, is always a good way to take a look back and see �what was going on�.

Stephen P. Kennedy was the Police Commissioner, and James R. Kennedy was the First Deputy Commissoner. The Chief of Department was still known as the Chief Inspector (it was Thomas Nielson � not another Kennedy!).

The Journal-American Award was bestowed on a �Hero Detective�, Robert F. Turner of the 16th Squad. (Just where was the 16th Squad located, John Reilly?)

At the time a patrolman, Turner was assigned to the 30 Precinct when he spotted a man breaking into a parked auto. Attempting to stop him, the thief took off, with Turner in foot pursuit, when the thief turned on him with a gun. Aiming at the officer, the gun misfired, and the pursuit continued. Turner commandeered a passing car (sounds like he would have made a good Transit cop) and caught up to the fleeing felon; again turning on the officer and taking aim for a third time, but this time before he could pull the trigger the officer fired his own weapon killing the bandit. As a result of the episode, Turner was assigned to the Detective Division.

All in the Days Work entries include several other noted actions by gumshoes. Four teenagers in a stolen car were caught by Detectives Findlay and Augello of the 94 Squad after a bullet-punctuated chase through Greenpoint� Sgt Vincent Chisari, then of the 60 Pct, on his way to play golf decided to drive by the shop where his father worked because on the past six Friday�s workers had been held up for their paychecks. On this, the seventh Friday, his hunch proved correct; he spotted three men waiting in a nearby car, investigated, found all three to be armed and made the arrests. They were also in a stolen car. Sgt. Chisari was transferred to the Detective Division for his good actions� Two young bandits stuck up a hosiery shop, and Detective�s John Mullins and Joseph Begley of the Manhattan West Burglary Sqd grabbed them after a short pursuit� Fourteen detectives from Borough HQ Bronx sprung a trap for a quartet of kidnappers-robbers and grabbed them in the act as they tried to make off with a payroll and the bookkeeper�

Some Brooklyn East Detective Commander�s saw some action one Sunday morning. �Returning from early Mass, and passing a cabaret, Deputy Chief Inspector William Kimmins of Bklyn East Detectives, Lt. William Palmer of the 79 Squad and Acting Lt. Thomas McGuire of the 87 Squad became aware of a balky man being ejected from a cabaret�. They went to assist, identifying themselves, and the man left only to return with a paper bag �threatening to shoot the cabaret proprietor�. DCI Kimmins grappled with the perp, the man drew a meat cleaver and slashed him over the eye. Act. Lt. McGuire hit the man with his revolver and Lt. Palmer disarmed and subdued him. The Deputy Chief suffered ten stitches from his wounds. Another quiet Sunday morning in Brooklyn� While Brooklyn East sleuths were grappling with a cabaret smasher, over on the East Side of Manhattan Detective�s from Safe, Loft and Truck Squad followed and captured a man affectionately known as �Moishe Pickles� for a lower east side murder.

What I found very interesting was a small blurb that was included under a photo in a corner of the line organizations page. It was noted here that Governor Harriman had just signed a 40-hour work week bill, after the PBA�s long campaign for a 40-hour 5-day week. PBA President John Carton was pictured with the Governor. You would have thought this was entitled to a much larger mention than that.

In the Study Hall section, for MOS (actually, at that time they were referred to as MOF for Member of the Force, before it became politically incorrect to use the term Force as in Police Force) the derivation of the �124 Room� can be discovered. It is noted that the Rules & regulations number 124 states that �the Precinct Commander may assign a Patrolman to assist the desk officer if conditions require it�. That was the origin of the term �124 man� who worked out of the clerical office, which was known as the �124 Room�.

Remember, Everyday you Learn Something New!


INTERESTING WEB SITE: FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS

Thanks to Ret. Det Al Meller who wants to pass along this information on forensic investigations.

The January 2005 issue of Forensic Science Communications has been posted onthe FBI web site. Forensic Science Communications is a quarterly journalpublished by FBI Laboratory personnel. To link to the current issue, please click on:

www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/current/index.htm



YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED: 10-13

We are asking for help to keep another cop killer in jail.

The family of PO Bobby Sorrentino, who was killed in the line of duty in 1980, is seeking help to ensure that one of his killers does not get out on parole.

PO Sorrentino was murdered in 1980. Of the four men sentenced for killing him, three have since died in prison, but the fourth, Russell Carrol, is having his parole hearing in February 2005, after serving the minimum part of his sentence.

There is an online petition readers can sign to help keep this cop killer in jail:

http://www.gopetition.com/online/5454.html.

You can also go to the NYPDangels website and get sample letters and addresses to send through conventional mail.

www.NYPDAngels.com

Please take a moment and help out!


BROOKLYN�S NOTORIOUS: THE LEAKING ALIBI

The alibi has always been essential to mob life. The day after Al Capen�es men pulled off the St. Valentine�s Day massacre, the bloodiest hit in mob history, Capone was quoted as saying �What do I know? I was in Florida�.

One favorite alibi was delivered by gangster Lucky Luciano, after the police asked him if he had anything to do with the slaying of Joe �The Boss� Masseria. It was a reasonable question since Luciano was dining with Joe when he was blown away.

Well, not exactly, claimed Lucky. �I was in the can taking a leak�, he told cops. �I always take a long leak�.

Luciano and Joe the Boss had been eating with Masseria at Nuova Villa Tammaro, at 2715 West 15 Street in Coney Island. At the time Masseria was the biggest mobster in the city, a bootlegger who drove a steel-plated bulletproof limo.

Joe needed all the protection he could get. In 1922, a gunman chased Joe into a flower shop at 82 Second Avenue and fired three shots, each one missing Joe as he tiptoed through the tulips. He emerged from the shooting with two holes in his straw hat (of course he was wearing a hat!) and a reputation for dodging bullets.

Luciano was not happy being Joe�s assistant, especially since he considered Masseria to be an idiot. He didn�t think it was right for Italian mobsters to mix with Jews or to bribe politicians, acts he considered to be �sleeping with the enemy�.

Luciano invited Joe for lunch at Nuova Villa Tammaro on April 15, 1931. The men ordered the rub-out special � fish and pasta � and drank Chianti. They played cards after the meal, while the restaurant�s owner decided it was time to take a walk.

This should be a tell-tale sign. If you�re ever in an Italian restaurant when the owner and staff suddenly seem to disappear, it�s probably not a good thing!

At 3:30 pm, Lucky said he had to go to the bathroom. In the next instant four gunman armed with machine guns appeared � Joe Adonis, Vito Genovese, Albert Anastasia, and Bugsy Siegel. They began firing at Joe�s back. Joe the Boss was left, according to a local newspaper, �with five bullets in his back and an ace of diamonds in his hand�.

All this while Luciano was taking a long leak.

Nuova Villa Tammaro is no longer a restaurant, but the original exterior has been preserved on the modern-day factory that now occupies the site.


THE POLICE CAMP

I have mentioned previously on this site about the Police Recreation Centre, commonly known as the Police Camp, that this department operated upstate in Tannersville, NY for its members.

Providing a very reasonably priced vacation in the mountains, it was filled with department members � and their family � comprising all ranks. If you grew up in the 60�s or early 70�s, and you came from an NYPD family, you probably spent at least one week there. Others of us regularly spent a week � or two � each summer.

You�d meet people you hadn�t seen for a year, spend a week in the country, and probably not see them again for another year. But it filled many people with extremely fond memories. For example, I recall meeting Frank Bolz (noted contributor to this site, and one of the founders of the Hostage Negotiation Team) when I was a very young tyke and he was a Sergeant in the 79 Precinct � and the Steuben president. I recall spending a week covering every piece of space we could find with a Steuben sticker or stamp!

I am in the process of writing some more on the Police Camp, and am seeking contributions from any readers of this site who can pass on their memories.

I will never forget the feeling of turning into the road that led to the hotel, off the country road, and seeing the large statue that graced the entrance � the very same statue of the policeman holding a flag with his arm around the young boy that is now at the entrance to 1PP. I will never listen to the song �Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer�� without thinking about the Police Camp � it seems it was always playing on the hotel�s loudspeaker, and was an indication that summer was here, you were at the Police Camp. I was too young to understand, but learned later on, why people around always seemed to chuckle or guffaw when an announcement would come over the loudspeaker asking �Sidney Cooper, please come to the lobby for a phone call.� Johnny K and Timmy Duffy would have had a ball here!


REMEMBER� TO CONTACT THE MINISTER OF INVESTIGATION

You can send me an e-mail at:

Ltjac77@yahoo.com


YET ANOTHER DETECTIVE TIP�

Don�t Ever Assume.

Just because the person you are looking for is Jamaican, and you hear he is out of the country, don�t assume he went to Jamaica. He may like the beaches of Puerto Rico better (yes, people consider Puerto Rico �out of the country�). And when they say he went �upstate�, try to get a better idea of what that means. Upstate to some may mean Maine.


Monday, December 06, 2004

EVERYDAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW

These were the words that were spoken by a well-respected Sergeant I worked for in the Transit Robbery Squad. Freddie Crockett used to speak these words several times a week, maybe even once a day. �Everyday you learn something new�.

The first time I heard him say it, it must have been one day in 1988, and perhaps that was my learning lesson of the day. I�ve found myself thinking about these words lately. What do you really learn new everyday?

I recall the day I learned that a sleeping prisoner is most likely a guilty prisoner. Early on in my career this had been brought to my attention. You make a collar, put the prisoner in the cell, and leave him alone for a while. The sleep of the guilty, while not something you bring into court, is probably as useful as a polygraph. What innocent person would fall asleep on a cell bench? One day, reading a NY TIMES story on a Brooklyn South Homicide team, I actually found out that there was a scientific basis for this. The release of certain enzymes in the body of a person who has been hiding, or fleeing, and now can take a �relaxed� state, will cause the person to fall asleep. The sleep of the guilty is actually based on a true biological event. You learn something new everyday.

As a young detective I learned that you can�t underestimate the criminal mind. I recall conducting a lineup for an armed robbery with a perp that was incarcerated at Rikers, and was released on a Take-Out order for the lineup. Working out of the Robbery Squad at Gold Street, we went around the corner to the projects looking for �fillers�. At that time we in Transit Robbery were paying $10 a filler while the other PD detectives were paying $5, so our unmarked van was a calling card for lineup fillers. At the completion of the lineup one of the fillers asked if he could give the subject of the lineup a pack of cigarettes before his return to Rikers. Why not? The fillers were paid, and left out of the building, when Tommy McGurl, one of the best detectives I�ve ever worked with, heard about the cigarette request. Taking the pack from my hand, before giving it over to the perp, he opened it up, removed the cellophane, and found a razor blade secreted inside. We made a mad dash for the street, grabbed the unmarked van, and found the fillers walking back to the projects. �How about another lineup� brought them all running for the van and an expected additional $10 payment. �Only one of you this time�, as we grabbed the offending contraband promoter. One ID in a robbery lineup; one pickup arrest for Promoting Prison Contraband. Everyday you learn something new.

Freddie Crockett was a true gentleman, and an Irishman through and through. He was the bandmaster for the Transit Pipes and Drums, and for some internal squabble made it clear that it was the Transit Police Pipes and Drums and NOT the Emerald Society�s. Anyway, Freddie put his heart and soul into this band, making practice plans, scheduling engagements, and working to recruit new members. He played second-whip in the Robbery Squad, to Tommy Burke who had commanded the squad himself for some time. Freddie and Tommy had been detectives together, but it was Tommy�s squad. Which was just fine for Freddie; he had the band to run. I never met anyone who knew more people than Freddie. He was on a first name basis with Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and countless number of politicians. In a quiet way he got things done. One day I learned that he didn�t always work behind the scenes.

Freddie earned a lot of points as a cop in many peoples minds one night, out on a stakeout on Fulton Street in the 75. Subway token booths along the �J� line had been the target of a pattern of armed robberies one summer. I had just returned from a weeks vacation when I learned that a stakeout of booths along Fulton Street on the elevated J line had been started. Uniformed Pos were strategically fixed, leaving 3 booths visibly uncovered, but staked out by a team of two detectives in the station and two backups in a car in the street below. I drew the Cleveland Street station with my partner Jerry Lyons; Sergeant Freddie Crockett and Detective Glenn Davidson were our backups in the street. My first night back from vacation, they had been conducting these stakeouts for six days straight already without any nibbles. Sure enough, right at the witching hour, our booth was getting robbed. Gun in the window, door opened, money taken, and a peck on the cheek of the female clerk by the gun toting thief before fleeing the station. Jerry and I exited, confronted the perps on the street stairs, and shots were fired. One of the perps dropped there, the second continued running. Many more shots rung out on the street. It was Freddie and Glenn, coming to our aid. Freddie �let a couple of rounds go�; turns out he emptied his revolver coming to the aid of �his boys�. �I had to watch out for my boys� is what I believe he said. An excellent interview by Tommy McGurl, a perp found at Jamaica Hospital (the kissing thief) and two more collars from the scene, and the pattern thiefs went away for a few years. Freddie Crockett earned his stripes that night. He wasn�t all pipe band and banter, Freddie was a cop�s cop. You learn something new everyday.

After the merger of Transit with NYPD Freddie moved to a Brooklyn South squad as first the second-whip, later commanding the 62 Squad, and eventually finishing his career in the Intelligence Division with the Gang Squad. He�s happily retired, spending his time with this family. He travels, to Ireland of course, and continues active involvement with the FOP�s Pipe and Drum band.

I love Freddie Crockett. He�s absolutely right; You learn something new everyday. Sometimes it�s something big, sometimes something trivial. But learn all the same.


INTERESTING WEB SITE: NYPD EMERALDS

Take a moment and check out the completely re-done NYPD Emerald�s web site.

The web master, Tom Sullivan, is a former Emerald Society Board Officer and a Retired Sergeant from ESS6, who has put together an excellent site for �everything emerald�. Loaded with photos and stories about the Society. Check it out!

www.nypdemeralds.com


MORE ON THE NINTH

It�s been brought to my attention that you can't mention the 9th pct or the 9th squad without mentioning "Cal's", the bar just to the west of the building.

This is one of the few bars that required that you step down 5 steps to get to the front door. A great Detective once said that you should only drink in bars that had to throw you up the stairs when they threw you out. That way it would hurt less, I guess.


INTERESTING WEB SITE

Police Badge Network � Collection of police memorabilia.

http://www.badgesource.com/pbn/bunko.htm



THE REAL MEANING OF INTELLIGENCE

Nothing takes the place of a detective�s memory when it comes to a source for �Intelligence�.

No database can perform the task. No specialized unit performs the task. The memory of a detective, who passes it on, is irreplaceable.

Think about it. How many times has a case taken a turn based on an inquiry from a detective who read an article in a newspaper? Or who heard about an incident from an adjoining command?

I can remember taking a phone call from a retired detective who saw a sketch in a newspaper that reminded him of a perp from a similar incident he arrested several years earlier. Accurate memory! It resulted in an arrest!

I guess the lesson to learn here is twofold. One, if you happen to get a �hunch� or think something upon hearing of an incident, DON�T assume it�s already being looked at. Make a phone call, and pass it on.

And, more importantly, if you happen to take that phone call, DON�T treat the caller as if he/she is some kind of �crackpot old retired dude with nothing better to do�. Chances are it�s better than any intelligence you�ve gotten from the so-called intelligence gathering people!


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

December 2, 1873 Ptl Edward Burns, 8Pct, Arrest � assaulted
December 2, 1994 PO Raymond Cannon Jr, 69 Pct, Shot-robbery
December 3, 1922 Ptl John Kennedy, 123 Pct, LOD injury
December 3, 1934 Ptl John Monahan, 14Div, Shot-arrest
December 3, 1954 Ptl Joseph Norden, 105 Pct, Shot by EDP
December 3, 1973 PO Vincent Connolly, Bomb Sq, Auto accident
December 4, 1923 Ptl Alfred Van Clieff, 63 Pct, Motorcycle accident
December 5, 1876 Ptl Patrick McKeon, BklynCentOffice Dets, Fire Rescue
December 6, 1903 Ptl Frank Redican, 1 Pct, Fire Rescue
December 6, 1941 Ptl Thomas Casey, 17 Pct, Shot-robbery pursuit
December 7, 1937 Ptl Edward Lynch, 20 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
December 7, 1971 Det Harold Marshall, HAPD-Bklyn, Shot-off duty arrest
December 8, 1924 Ptl Joseph Pelosi, 60 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
December 8, 1932 Ptl Michael Moroso, 23 Pct, Shot by sniper
December 8, 1942 Det Joseph Miccio, 78 Sq, Shot-investigation
December 8, 1946 Ptl Edward McAuliff, 18 Sqd, LOD injury
December 9, 1932 Ptl John Grattan, McyUnit, motorcycle accident
December 10, 1929 Ptl Philip Morrissey, 85 Pct, Auto accident on patrol

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

THE FIGHTING NINTH

One of the most recognizable station houses throughout the country, and possibly the world, must be the 9th Precinct station house on East 5th Street.

Or so it was, until it was torn down for renovation months ago. But do not fret, the building is being properly restored, and will once again soon be home to �The Fighting Ninth�.

The 9th Precinct stationhouse was located at 321 East 5th Street, between First and Second Avenues on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The block was primarily residential with old walkup tenements on both sides.

The precinct faced a small vest pocket park that in l981 was usually inhabited by homeless people and a few of the local residents who hadn't surrendered the park.

It�s notoriety came from its popularity as the stationhouse on several very popular television series.

Years ago, the original motion picture "The Naked City" used the 9th Precinct for scenes. More recently, the TV shows "Kojak" and "NYPD Blue" used the front of the precinct for production of those successful and long-running shows. It wasn't hard to understand the reasons why the entertainment industry used it for location shots. The 9th was the quintessential New York City police station.

The famous �Fighting 9th Precinct� stationhouse located at 321 East 5th Street in Manhattan is currently being renovated, and the men and women of the 9th have been turning out of the Housing Police facility a 130 Avenue C for the past few years.

Since they had to leave their old precinct rumors were circulating that perhaps the old precinct would go the way of other NYPD department buildings. The old 6th Precinct on Charles Street in Greenwich Village is now a condominium. So too is the famous NYPD Headquarters at 240 Centre Street where Teddy Roosevelt had his office. Finally, when they demolished the old 9th Precinct, it seemed that the rumors had some basis in fact. So the news that there was to be a dedication ceremony for the construction of the new 9th Precinct at 321 East 5th Street was a surprise to many retired and active members of the 9th Precinct.

On Wednesday, May 26, 2004, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly hosted a dedication ceremony that, despite the rain, saw many veteran and retired 9th Precinct members turn out and share their feelings about the restoration of the stationhouse. It was reported that the Commissioner chatted with the retired cops �and it was obvious that he felt comfortable with men who were cops during the same years that he was a young police officer.�

It was especially good news to hear that the entire facade of old 9th Precinct would be restored on the new building.

The new precinct should be completed by next summer. The historical value of the 9th Precinct stationhouse was taken into consideration and, with input from the Historical Preservation Society, it has been assured that the facade of the old stationhouse will be preserved and will be restored with the new building.


INTERESTING WEB SITE

I must make mention at this time to the fine web site that Retired Captain Ed Reuss has assembled. NY Cop Online Magazine is an excellent site, of interest to anyone in this department, both for historical information and current events. He even hosts a short story section, with contributions from around the country. The information provided for the above piece on the Fighting Ninth was provided from this site. I can only encourage you to visit the site, bookmark it, and enjoy what�s there.


WWW.NYCOP.COM


SUBWAY CRIME DROPS

It has recently been widely reported that the drop in crime on the city�s subway is at record lows. Exactly how low is hard to imagine by a Transit Police alum who spent the 80�s fighting the rising crime on the subways.

There were 17,497 recorded subway felonies in 1990 - a peak year in the city's crack-cocaine-fueled crime epidemic. Thirteen years later, subway thuggery had plummeted 82%, to 3,218 felonies. Transit Police practices have proven to be successful, with several basic but effective strategies helping to explain the stunning decrease.

When Bill Bratton took over as Chief of the Transit Police in 1990, he brought along a crime fighting strategy that utilized the �Broken Windows� philosophy. Riders committing relatively minor infractions - jumping turnstiles, smoking or drinking onboard � were targeted. By cracking down on lesser violations, cops say they are able to send a zero-tolerance message that deters criminals and takes would-be thugs out of circulation - at least temporarily.

The basic premise was that the criminal who uses the subway system for his/her crime does not pay the fare when entering. Stop them at the turnstile when they enter, and you can prevent a crime from later occurring. A simple premise, yes, but a proven crime fighting tactic. It appears to have worked.

For a system that carries millions of riders daily, violent felonies are uncommon. So far this year, there have been an average of about three robberies a day. When I started on uniform patrol in District 33, in 1981, there were an average of over three robberies a day in that District alone, not counting the Grand Larcenies from the person, and other felonious assaults. It�s pretty hard to imagine the numbers.


REMEMBERING THE FALLEN

As was noted in a previous listing, the 60 �Forgotten� officers whose names were missing from the memorial wall honoring those officers slain in the line of duty will be rightly honored.

Retired NYPD Sergeant and police historian Mike Bosak spent years tracking the death certificates of the slain men. The project was in part paid for by the PBA.

The families of these men will deservedly be invited to a ceremony at Police Headquarters to honor their ancestors.

Among those previously omitted are:

Patrolman Edward Dipple, who was shot in the head in July 1863 while trying to clear rioters who were looting the Gibbons House bar on W. 29th Street near 8th Avenue.

Patrolman John Smedick, who was shot in 1868 by a gunman who randomly opened fire on First Avenue and 32nd Street.

Detective Charles Horn who, in 1900, was fatally stabbed at a wedding when he tried to prevent someone from slashing the bride with a sword.



DISARMING THE BOBBIES

It was recently reported on several news sources that a shortage of armed police officers is occurring in London after firearms specialists handed in their weapons in protest at the suspension of two officers.

While commonly understood that British police officers do not carry firearms, which is not necessarily true. There has always been a staff of on-duty specially trained officers who did so.

Some of these officers have turned in their firearms after a jury ruled that two of their colleagues unlawfully shot a man who they believed was holding a sawed-off shotgun. The perp was actually carrying a table leg.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner indicated that this is �a very serious problem at the moment and it�s escalating. We need these armed officers in the present circumstances in London�, referring to anti-terrorism efforts in that city.

London has long been a terrorist target, first from the terrorist IRA group and most recently a high level target of Islamic extremists and Al Qaeda groups. In fact, it was just reported that anti-terrorism efforts have thwarted planned Al Qaeda attacks at several London locations in what would have been WTC type attacks using airlines.


WHAT�S NEW, KEMOSABE?

Sometimes you can�t begin to make up what the legal profession can do.

In Canada recently the Human Rights Commission board of inquiry was asked to rule on a suit brought by a Canadian woman who complained that her boss created a �poisoned work environment� by calling her Kemosabe. This is the name that was given by the Lone Ranger to his friend Tonto in the 1950�s TV Western �The Lone Ranger�.

The manager of the secondhand sports store where the litigant worked argued that Kemosabe was a term he used to address customers as well as employees.

To help decide on the suit the board of inquiry spent a full day watching �The Lone Ranger� episodes.

�When asked what Kemosabe meant, Tonto responded, �Trusty friend�� the board found. �Both the Lone Ranger and Tonto treat one another with respect, and at no time during the episodes is the term Kemosabe ever used in a demeaning or derogatory manner�.

The board further noted that while Tonto was always treated respectfully, the long-popular TV show treated other Native American characters in a demeaning manner.
It�s my guess that Canada has its share of a large number of law school graduates seeking work!


INVESTIGATORS TIP OF THE DAY

A sign displayed in several �old� detective squad offices mimics a classic detective idiom.

GOYAKOD

Sometimes, good detective work can be summed up in the meaning of this term.

Get Off Your Ass and Knock On Doors.

One of the biggest tactics of a good investigator is being able to talk to people. Getting people to talk to you � be they victims, witnesses, family, or as yet unknown � is probably the single most important tool of a good detective. If you turn people off, and can�t talk to others, you�re sure to have a hard time at this life we�ve chosen.

Talking is essential. But sometimes you just have to be reminded that getting out of the chair, into the street, and knocking on doors is basic detective work.

GOYAKOD


WATCH OUT, ROCKY BALBOA

A highly successful boxing �Smoker� was held last week, pitting the best of Brooklyn North pugs against Brooklyn South toughs.

As noted here previously, Tommy Joyce � one of Brooklyn North�s alums � stepped into the ring for his very first ever �sanctioned� boxing match. After a very tough fought, closely scored three rounds, Tommy was the victor.

Fear not, pugilists. It will probably be Tommy�s last bout. �I�m glad I did it, but I don�t think I�ll be doing it again�, Tommy stated. With an opportunity to retire undefeated, who could blame him?

Nice work, Tommy. Inspiration to many. �Keep up the fight��


HOLIDAY GREETINGS

As another year passes into the �Holiday Season�, let me extend a hearty and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Wherever you may find yourself, whatever you may be doing, reflect on all we have to be happy about. Remember those who cannot be with us any longer. And share a smile with another.

God Bless! Happy Thanksgiving!


"EVERYDAY, YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW"

Reflecting recently on the above phrase, which was uttered numerous times by a very fond friend and associate, Ret. Sgt Freddie Crockett, I've started assembling ideas on this topic.

I'd like to encourage readers to send along to me their thoughts, ideas, etc. on this.

You learn something new everyday...

Send them along to me at:

Ltjac77@yahoo.com




LINKS LISTING

Although I don�t know how to add actual �Links� on this site, I am listing those sites which I think you�ll find interesting (and would be on a �Links� list if I knew how to do that!). You can utilize �cut & paste� for this purpose, then �bookmark� them for future reference. Editor's Note: With the new format of this blog site, it may be possible to just "click" on the site that's listed. I'm not sure myself, yet, but try it.


Squad Security, Inc.
http://www.squadsecurity.com/

NYC Police Museum
http://www.nycpolicemuseum.org/index.html

REMA: Retired Emergency Man�s Association
http://hometown.aol.com/truck8tony/NYPD-REMA.html

National Police Support Network Inc
www.policesupport.com

E-Investigator (Info and people-search links)
http://www.einvestigator.com/

Organized Crime information
http://205.180.85.40/w/pc.cgi?mid=16573&sid=8835

Tom Natoli�s Transit Police Web Site
http://www.geocities.com/tomn2137/index.htm

NYS Shields
http://www.nyshields.com/

NY Cop Online Magazine
http://www.nycop.com/

John E. Reid & Associates, Investigative support
http://www.reid.com/

Retired Guardian�s, Transit Police and NYPD
http://www.retiredguardians.org/index.html

NY Transit Police Florida Reunion & Info Site
http://www.nyctpflare.com/

Phones and other searches: www.fonefinder.net www.switchboard.com (reverse) www.theultimates.com/white/ (reverse) www.anywho.com (reverse)

Cell Phone Carrier
www.primeris.com

Cigar Afficionado
http://www.cigarafficionado.com/

Manhattanville College Men�s Lacrosse
http://www.mville.edu/athletics/sports/mlax/mlaxhome.html

Villanova University Women�s Lacrosse
http://villanova.ocsn.com/sports/w-lacros/nova-w-lacros-body.html



�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

November 25, 1904 Ptl James Devens, 66 Pct, Trampled by horse
November 27, 1963 Det Ronald Rolker, 18 Sq, Shot-robbery, off duty
November 29, 1941 Ptl. James Collins, 62 Pct, Line of duty heart attack
November 30, 1900 Ptl William Baumeister, 29 Pct, Shot- assault arrest
November 30, 1957 Ptl Joseph Rauchut, Mcy2, Motorcycle accident on patrol

Friday, November 19, 2004

THE POLICE SHIELD

Thanks to John Reilly who has passed on a copy of the Spring 3100 issue of March 1958 that details information about the police shield, the following is noted.

Most would assert, looking at the NYPD�s police shield that it bears the �seal of the City of New York�. This is only relatively correct. The police shield does bear many of the devices which appear on the present City seal, but all of them differ in some respect.

The Seal of the City of New York, adopted in 1915, is officially described as:

Arms: Upon a shield, saltire-wise, the sails of a windmill. Between the sails, in chief a beaver, in base a beaver and on each flank a flour barrel.

Supporters: Dexter, a sailor, his right arm bent, and holding in his right hand a plummet; his left arm bent, his left hand resting on the top of the shield; above his right shoulder a cross-staff. Sinister, an Indian of Manhattan, his right arm bent, his right hand resting on top of the shield, his left hand holding the upper end of a bow, the lower end of which rests on the ground. Shield and supporters resting upon a horizontal laurel branch.

Crest: Upon a hemisphere, an American eagle with wings displayed.

Date: beneath the horizontal laurel branch the date 1664, being the year of the capture of New Amsterdam by the English and the first use of the name of the City of New York.

Legend: Upon a ribbon encircling the lower half of the design the words �Sigillum Civitatis Novi Eboraci� or Seal of the City of New York. The whole encircled by a laurel wreath. (They really liked those laurel�s, didn�t they!)

The devices on both the City seal and our police shield are the eagle, hemisphere, shield or escutcheon, beaver, flour barrels, windmill, Indian, Sailor, bow and sounding lead.

The eagles differ in that the heads are turned opposite to each other and the wings are spread differently. The hemisphere in the police shield bears cross lines that are diagonal, giving a diamond effect, while in the city seal they correspond to latitude and longitude markings. The flour barrels are virtually the same, although on the police shield only a small portion of the top is visible.

The present police shield was first manufactured in 1898 by the now defunct American Railway Supply Company. Today, contracts for the manufacture of new shields are awarded to several badge stamping companies. The shield is made of 18 gauge nickel silver. It is first die struck in a drop hammer which gives the impression and pounded until the desired height of the characters is reached. The perimeter or outline is blanked and embosses, the numbers and lugs hard soldered and then the badge is dipped and cleaned, nickel plated and polished and ready for wear.


THE MEMORIAL WALL

Retired Sgt. Mike Bosak spent a decade discovering that 77 cops supposedly killed in the line of duty during the 19th century never made the wall of honor in the lobby of One Police Plaza.

In 1996, his work complete - or so he thought - Bosak contacted the then-chief of personnel, the late Michael Markman. Bosak says Markman deep-sixed his project, which lay dormant for four years. Then, a chance meeting at a St. Patrick's Day celebration with former First Deputy Commissioner Pat Kelleher started it up again. Kerik signed on. First Deputy Joe Dunne was supportive.

In September 2000, then-Chief of Personnel James Lawrence scheduled a ceremony to honor Bosak's newly discovered cops. Then, 9/11 occurred and the matter was forgotten.

One might have suspected Ray Kelly to veto an idea supported by two of his least favorite people, Lynch and Kerik. Instead, earlier this year, Kelly appointed a committee of top brass, three-star chiefs Michael Scagnelli and Rafael Pineiro, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne and First Deputy Commissioner George Grasso, to examine each cop's credentials.

It was recently announced by Commissioner Kelly that the 60 officers Bosak found will be added to the wall and their descendants invited to the ceremony.


GARDA SIOCHANA

The "Garda S�och�na na h�ireann" (in English - "Guardians of the Peace of Ireland") is Ireland's national police force. The force is responsible for the maintenance of law and order throughout the Republic of Ireland. The mission of An Garda S�och�na is to protect life and property, to safeguard the liberties of the individual, to preserve public peace, to prevent and detect crime, to provide guidance for young people as they seek to become caring, law-abiding citizens and in so doing to provide a quality service to the public while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and efficiency.

Organised policing in Ireland began with the Dublin Police Act, 1786. The Irish Constabulary was established in 1822, which became the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1867. The Dublin Police was established in 1836. During one of the bloodiest periods in Irish History, the War of Independence 1919-1922, over 400 policemen were killed. In 1922 the Royal Irish Constabulary was disbanded and the Civic Guard was established. The Civic Guard was later renamed the Garda S�och�na and in 1925 the Dublin Metropolitan Police merged with the new police force.

Today there are almost 11,000 members in the police force stationed in about 700 police stations throughout the country. The population of the Republic of Ireland is 3.5 million with 1.1 million people in Dublin the capital city. They are lucky to have one of the lowest levels of serious violent crimes in comparison to that of other developed countries.The entry level to the force is at the rank of Student Garda. Competitions for entry into the Garda S�och�na are usually held once every three years. The Student Garda undergo an intensive two year training programme, with subjects such as Law, Social Science, Communications, Irish Language, Physical Training. The training includes theoretical training at the Garda Siochana College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, and work experience at placement stations. Irish is the first official language of the Republic of Ireland and English is the second official language. Every member of the police force must be suitably qualified in both languages. Successful students will then be appointed to the Force, and have promotional prospects up through the ranks to the level of Commissioner.

Besides domestic duties, the Garda S�och�na also performs peace-keeping duties overseas with the United Nations. Since its first overseas mission with a 50 member contingent to Namibia in 1989, the force continued to play a major role in United Nations peace-keeping missions to Angola, Cambodia, Cyprus, Mozambique, South Africa and the former Yugoslavia.

The Garda S�och�na is a civil police force and uniformed members of the force do not carry firearms. Policing is carried out in both rural and urban areas by uniformed officers equipped with only a modest truncheon. Firearms are carried by detectives.



INTERESTING WEB SITE

This site has been noted here before, but certainly worth mentioning again. An excellent site memorializing our brothers and sisters who have gone before us.

www.NYPDAngels.com

Between 1849 and 2004 there have been 703 members of the NYPD killed in the line of duty. This website is dedicated them - the 576 Patrolmen/Police Officers*, 79 Detectives, 38 Sergeants, 8 Lieutenants, 2 Captain and 1 Inspector that gave their lives for us. They gave unselfishly and now walk through Heaven's streets where they continue to serve and protect us. May their memories live on forever.


IN MEMORIAM: 1946 EXPLOSION

On November 25, 1946 three MOS were killed effecting a rescue in a building with a gas leak.

Patrolman Kundsen of ESU and Patrolman Francis O'Hara of the 102 Pct were killed when while attempting to cut off the flow of gas to a building where a leak was reported. When Patrolman Kundsen and Francis entered the basement of the building an explosion occurred and the officers were instantly killed. Lieutenant Charles Michie of ESU expended every effort to rescue the patrolman and exerted himself to such an extent that he collapsed amid the debris and died.


THE BROOKLYN SMOKER

As you read this, the event will probably already be completed. I must apologize for not having a posting sooner to announce the event to all.

Friday, November 19, 2004 saw the boxing competition between Brooklyn North and Brooklyn South commands known traditionally as �The Smoker�.

One of Brooklyn North Detective�s own, the former Squad Commander of the 79 Squad and current Squad Commander of Bronx Cold Case, TOMMY JOYCE, sees his boxing debut at this event as he faces off against one of the 60 Precinct�s pugilists.

Not counting an unscheduled bout recently, this will be Tommy�s introduction to the �sweet science�. He�s had a lot of fine training to get him into the ring, assisted by John Coughlin of the 79 Squad, Tony Gray of the 75 Squad, and by Dave Sieve of Brooklyn South.

�The Thrilla-in-Bay Ridge�, taking place at Nazareth High School, is intended as a fund raiser for charity, and will certainly prove to be a great night out for all.

I have to give Tommy a lot of respect for stepping into the ring, for the three one-minute-round event. We�ve seen him �spar� with the best, on his feet at COMPSTAT and at squad commander�s meetings; this �spar� of a different type will open up new doors, for sure!

Anyone interested in a �Sumo-Wrestling Smoker�? We may have some contestants ready to go into the ring for such an event. Watch out for more on these items in the future.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

November 19, 1926 Ptl Edward Byrns, 45 Pct, Shot-pursuit
November 20, 1980 PO James Dunston, PSA5, Shot-Burglary arrest
November 22, 1857 Ptl Horatio Sanger, 9 Pct, Head injury
November 22, 1930 Ptl William Senk, Mcy2, Motorcycle accident
November 23, 1938 Ptl Clarence Clark, 105 Pct, Auto Accident
Ptl. Victor Cooper, 105 Pct, Auto Accident
November 23, 1989 Det Keith Williams, QDAOS, Shot by prisoner
November 24, 1939 Ptl Michael Lonto, 75 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
November 24, 1971 Ptl Patrick O�Connor, ESU, Auto accident
November 25, 1933 Ptl Peter Costa, 3Div, Shot-robbery in progress
November 25, 1946 Lt Charles Michie, ESU, Explosion-Rescue
Ptl Peter Kundsen, ESU, Explosion-Rescue
Ptl Francis O�Hara, 102 Pct, Explosion-Rescue

Thursday, November 11, 2004

We always did feel the same, we just saw it from a different point of view� Tangled up in blue.

POLICE REVOLVERS

The arming of police officers with handguns, specifically revolvers, is not a practice that was always in place.

While it is generally believed that the police were armed with revolvers since the 1860s, this information is not 100 per cent correct.

While in July of 1857, a "Metropolitan Police Pistol" was offered at a discount rate to the members of the department, the offer was turned down because public sentiment was in favor on an unarmed police force. Again in June of 1873 an effort was made to arm certain selected members of the police force. Again this was turned down as public resistance to a "stand army" was too great.

In the 1873 Rules & Procedures of this department it is noted that officers were allowed to practice firing weapons in the sub-basement of Police Headquarters. In the book "Our Police Protecters" which was published in 1885, there is an illustration of police equipment which includes a revolver.

Yet, it was not until 1887 that Rule 503 of the R & P required police officers on duty to be armed with a revolver. It appears that revolvers were carried and in some cases used.

In Jan. of 1883, Acting Sgt. John Delaney while serving a warrant was shot in the eye; he then shot and killed his attacker. Delaney recovered and retired many years later as a Captain.


INTERESTING WEB SITES

Ret Det Al Meller would like to pass along the following web site, which is very informative on this hot topic.

DNA Information at Your Fingertips:

http://www.DNA.gov

This site offers a wealth of information about funding, training, publications, and other resources related to the use of DNA technology in solving crimes, protecting the innocent, and identifying missing persons..


People Finder site/Public Record(update)A site that offers free people person search, plus also allows for locate info on public records. Note: sometimes you are directed to paying sites...but many times free sites are available for Public records.

http://www.searchbug.com/peoplefinder/



FOLLOW UP TO THE HUMIDOR

My recent posting, extolling the virtues of Sanchez Cigars in Manhattan, was supported by Sgt. Jerry Kane of the Manhattan Robbery Squad.

Jerry notes that Sanchez is an excellent cigar store. �Always fresh and reasonably priced�. He notes further that Senor Sanchez rolls 'cuban seed' Dominican leaf cigars in his little shoebox of a store. And he attests to the quote about his �Cuban hand-rolled� cigars.

We would just like to add that, although we may discuss cigars on this site, we do not condone the smoking of any cigars on city property.


FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD: ANOTHER CORPORATE LESSON

A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.



THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF CRIME

Compiled in 1859 by George W. Matsell, former Chief of Police of New York City, the SECRET LANGUAGE OF CRIME was a comprehensive dictionary of the criminal; a Rogues Lexicon.

Some of the entries of interest follow:

Amusers: Fellows who carry snuff or pepper in their pockets, which they throw into a persons eyes and then run away; the accomplice rushing up to the victim, pretending to assist, robs him while suffering with pain.

Barking Irons: Pistols

Baster: A house thief

Betty: A picklock

Blow a Cloud: Smoke a cigar or pipe.

Fly-Cop: A sharp officer; an officer that is well posted; one who understands his business.

Moll: A woman.

Oil of Barley: Strong beer.

Tail-Diver: A thief who steals pocket-handkerchiefs from coat-tail pockets.



HOW IRONIC

Some things you just can�t make up.

Recently a Level 1 Mobilization was called in Queens for an escaped suicidal � homicidal patient, who had escaped from Elmhurst General.

The description of this male included that he was wearing �a New York Yankees pinstripe tee shirt�.

I bet he was suicidal! Any truth that Jay Genna was seen searching for the missing culprit, trying to lure him out with a Red Sox cap?

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

WOULD YOU LIKE A CIGAR WITH THAT PIZZA?

Sure, Carmine Galante was a mob boss. Sure, he got rich selling heroin and killing people to control his business. But say this about him: according to the book NEW YORK NOTORIOUS, he had a mighty set of teeth.

�No matter how many bullets tore through his chest one afternoon in 1979, Carmine refused to let a lit stogie slip from his bloodstained lips. Even after he died.� Or did he?

It has been reported in many circles, and noted as a Herculean performance in the annals of the mob, where death usually requires gangsters to drop everything. Still, most found Carmine�s fate fitting, particularly because he was known in mob circles as �The Cigar�.

Carmine led quite an interesting life. Sent to reform school when he was nine years old, and jailed when he was 17, he later went on to work for mob chief Vito Genovese and was arresting for shooting a cop. His biggest assignment was believed to have been murdering Carlo Tresca, the Anarchist newspaper editor, in 1943.

He was rewarded for his actions and moved up in mob hierarchy until he controlled a multimillion-dollar heroin and racketeering empire. Life was good, except he continued to have the urge to wipe out the competition, including don Carlo Gambino, the mob�s patron saint of drug-free crime. This didn�t sit well with those he was wiping out.

Carlo Gambino died peacefully in 1976, but the rest of the mob was fed up with Galante�s threats. Not a good position to be in for Galante, no doubt. A meeting of bosses resulted in the decision to put out the cigar.

On July 13, 1979, Galante ate lunch at Joe & Mary�s on Knickerbocker Avenue (off Troutman in the 83). Carmine�s cousin Joe Turano owned the country-style restaurant, that featured a sunny patio out back with round tables and a vegetable garden.

Galante took a patio table with three associates who, it was later reported, kept fidgeting and getting up to make phone calls throughout the meal. Shortly before 3pm three men wearing ski masks ran into the restaurant. That�s never a good sign if you happen to be in the restaurant. From as close as six feet away they fired double-barrel shotguns at Galante�s chest. Minutes later, when police arrived, they found Carmine on his back, blood dripping from his left eye, the stogie still in his mouth. This scene was captured for all to see by a newspaper reporter who climbed an adjoining building to get the patio photo.

Since the photo first appeared stories have circulated that the stogie-in-the-mouth was �staged� by a responding detective for the benefit of the snapping photographer. Believe what you may, it certainly made a great photo. The Minister is taking the �fifth� on any knowledge in these respects.

PASS THE NIPPERS, PLEASE

Back in time in this department, to 1955, it was not required that a patrolman have a set of handcuffs. What was required for use in restraining a prisoner was a set of nippers.

These were a steel chain attached to a locking handle that was looped around the wrist of a prisoner. If a prisoner resisted then the officer would twist the chain that was around the prisoner's wrist; the theory being that the pain would cause him to �come along�. For that reason, they were also referred to as �Come along�s�.

One problem that was often encountered, though, was that if you were trying to bring in a drunk, you soon found that twisting the chain had no effect as he was feeling no pain.

Before the chain nippers were standard equipment there were cord nippers. These were made with a cord and wooden handles; the best of this type nippers used braided fishing cord.

As Ret. Det1 John Reilly points out, the department�s amended Rules & Procedures of May 1958 specified the change to make it a requirement to carry and use handcuffs. Sergeants and Patrolmen assigned to duty in uniform and members of the force assigned to plainclothes or detective duty were now required to carry regulation handcuffs while on duty.

Before this date there was also a requirement that a set of department handcuffs would be in every RMP car. The cuffs were locked onto the bar behind the front seats (there were no rear seats at the time). When the Sergeant made his inspection of the RMP cars that was one of the items he always looked for.

The only problem was that the cuffs would disappear (can you believe that?) so the crews (6 men) assigned to the car would have to chip in to buy a new set of cuffs. Each man had to put in $2.50 (total $15.00) and one man had to go to the Equipment Bureau to obtain the cuffs.


INTERESTING WEB SITE

Computer Crime Research Center: good info and articles
http://www.crime-research.org/

Forensic Examination of Digital Evidence: Computer forensics experts, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, have published the second edition to a guide that provides step-by-step instructions on finding digital evidence. This text may be found to be quite helpful to those involved in computer forensic investigations. Subtitled "A Guide for Law Enforcement," the publication is available as a plain text or PDF download at the Web site of the National Institute of Justice. Chapters cover topics such as assessing, acquiring and examining evidence and documenting and reporting evidence.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/199408.htm


GOOD AND WELFARE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sgt. Rodney Gillis Street Renaming

The street in front of ESS#8 will be renamed "Sergeant RODNEY GILLIS Way".

In a ceremony to be conducted at 1200 hours, Friday, November 12th at ESS8, (located in the 90 Precinct at 10 Montrose Avenue, Brooklyn) the street in front of the Truck's Quarters will be dedicated to the memory of Sgt Gillis, assigned to Truck 8, who perished at the WTC on 9-11-01.


Fundraiser for Detectives Patrick Rafferty and Robert Lee Parker

On November 19, from 7 pm-10 pm a fundraiser will be held at the Banshee Pub, on the Upper East Side of New York City, for the benefit of these two Detective�s who gave their lives in the performance of duty this past September.

The Banshee Pub is located at 1373 First Avenue, between E. 73 & E. 74 Streets. Their telephone number is 212.717.8177 (http://www.bansheepubnyc.com).

The evening will feature drink specials, guest bartenders, t-shirt sales and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will go directly to the families of these two Detectives.

Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Admission is $10. One beer is included in the admission price.

Paddy and Bobby were brutally murdered in the performance of duty on September 10, 2004, during the investigation of a domestic violence case. May God have mercy on their sweet souls and watch over their families. Please try to take the time to help support their families.

A reminder, also, that the 67 Squad is raising money for the families by selling a memorial t-shirt. You can contact the 67 Squad for more information.


CORPORATE LESSON

A sales rep, an administration clerk and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out in a puff of smoke.

The Genie says, "I usually only grant three wishes, so I'll give each of you just one.""Me first! Me first!" says the admin. clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Poof! She's gone.

In astonishment, "Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of pina coladas and the love of my life." Poof! He's gone.

"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager.

The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

November 3, 1854 Ptl David Gurley, 1 Dist, Stabbed (Munic.PD of NY)
November 3, 1892 Det John Carey, CentOffSqd, Shot-Arrest
November 3, 1931 Sgt Thomas Madigan, 30 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
November 4, 1966 Ptl Anthony Campisi, 1Div, Stabbed-investigation
November 5, 1924 Ptl John Bonahan, McyDist, Auto accident on patrol
November 5, 1928 Ptl Henry Behnstedt, TraffDiv, Auto accident on patrol
November 6, 1978 Det Horace Ford, SCU, Shot-off duty robbery
November 7, 1863 Ptl John Van Buren, 8Pct (17Pct), Beaten-Draft riots
November 7, 1864 Ptl Joseph Nulet, 29 Pct (10Pct), Shot-burglary invest.
November 7, 1937 Det Arthur DeMarrais, 88 Sqd, Injured-assaulted
November 8, 1930 Ptl Charles Weidig, 28 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
November 8, 1937 Ptl George Pierson, GCP Pct, motorcycle accident
November 8, 1955 Ptl John Albanesi, 60 Pct, LOD heart attack

Thursday, October 28, 2004

IN HONOR OF RODNEY DANGERFIELD: WE ALL COULD USE A GOOD LAUGH (ESPECIALLY YANKEE FANS!)

A girl phoned me the other day and said, "Come on over, there's nobodyhome." I went over. Nobody was home.

I went to see my doctor and told him, "Doctor, every morning when I get upand look in the mirror, I feel like throwing up. What's wrong with me?" He said, "I don't know but your eyesight is perfect."

Once when I was lost, I saw a policeman and asked him to help me find my parents. I said to him, "Do you think we'll ever find them?" He said, "I don't know kid ... there are so many places they can hide."


MATCHING BALLISTICS: NOT SUCH AN EXACT SCIENCE?

The following information is taken from the September 2004 edition of the ABA Journal. An article, written by Mark Hansen, questions the scientific nature in which ballistic examiners can compare a bullet and � based on the lead analysis � determine a match.

The examination started in defense of a defendant on Kentucky�s death row for two murders he claims he didn�t commit. One of the things that helped put him there was the testimony of an FBI laboratory examiner who said he had �matched� several bullets recovered from the bodies of the two victims to a box of unspent cartridges found in the defendants mobile home.

There was no other physical evidence tying Bowling to the crimes�no DNA, no fingerprints, no blood, no hair or fibers, no gunshot residue. In fact, the only direct evidence of Bowling�s guilt was the FBI examiner�s testimony about the matching bullets and the word of a police informant who testified that Bowling had confessed to the two murders while they were housed together in the same jail.

Bowling contends that he never even spoke to the informant, who had struck a deal with prosecutors to trade testimony in Bowling�s state trial in exchange for a favorable disposition of the federal mail fraud charges then pending against him.

The FBI examiner�s testimony in the case is being called into question by a recent study that raises serious doubts about the validity of the agency�s comparative bullet-lead-analysis evidence.

The study, released in February by the National Academies� National Research Council, found that while the FBI�s scientific method for comparing bullets was generally sound, its examiners have sometimes overstated its importance in court and played down the likelihood of a false match. There is no disputing the fact that trace amounts of certain elements in bullet lead can be precisely measured. The controversy centers on how the FBI has interpreted that data.

For decades, FBI examiners operated on the twin assumptions that every batch of bullet lead was compositionally uniform throughout and that no two batches were compositionally alike. So if two bullets were found to have the same concentrations of the same elements, the reasoning went, those bullets must have come from the same batch of lead. In the past few years, however, critics have begun to question those assumptions.

Some researchers have found that different samples from the same batch of bullet lead can have different elemental compositions. Other research has confirmed that different batches of bullet lead can have the same elemental composition. Still other research has shown that bullets from the same box of ammunition can have different elemental compositions, some of which can be attributed to bullets from different melts and some of which can be attributed to intramelt variability.

Retired FBI metallurgist William A.Tobin, a longtime critic of the bureau�s bullet matching technique says he feels vindicated by the committee�s findings. �They validated almost every single criticism I have of the practice,� he says.

The council recommended a number of changes in the FBI�s procedures, which include improved training and oversight, new statistical methods for analyzing bullet lead data, and a limit on how far experts should go when they testify about the possibility of a match between a crime scene bullet and a bullet traceable to a suspect.

Just because two bullets match does not necessarily mean they came from the same box of ammunition. Comparative bullet lead analysis, known as CBLA, can be a useful forensic tool, but does not have the unique specificity of techniques such as DNA typing, which can be used as stand-alone evidence.

The report indicates that comparative lead analysis should never be used for anything other than circumstantial evidence, and an entire case should not be built around it.

Here�s how bullet lead analysis works: bullets found at crime scenes are tested for trace amounts of seven different elements, including arsenic, tin, copper and silver. Those findings are compared to a similar analysis of bullets traceable to a suspect. If the crime scene bullets and the suspect�s bullets are determined statistically to be analytically indistinguishable for each of those elements, FBI examiners have historically concluded that the two samples probably came from the same source. By the FBI�s own estimate, such evidence has been used in about 2,500 cases over the past three decades, including about 500 trials. The technique has proved especially useful in shooting cases in which either no gun is recovered or a crime scene bullet is too small or too mangled to compare the marks left on it by its passage through the barrel with the marks made on a test bullet fired from a suspect�s gun.

At the trial of Bowling, ballistics evidence linked a gun found by the side of a road on which Bowling had traveled to the bullets used in the first two shootings. An FBI examiner testified at the trial that the bullets at the first murder and bullets at the second murder matched, and that they both matched bullets recovered at the suspect�s home.

The FBI examiner�s testimony made it sound as if each batch of bullet lead is unique, although it is not.

The committee�s report shows that the whole scientific premise on which the bullet lead evidence is based maybe fatally flawed. It may be, and it may not. What�s clear is this: they didn�t conclude that the basic technology was either irrelevant or wholly unreliable. It simply says that the claims for what the technology indicated was possible have been overstated.


NATIONAL POLICE SUPPORT NETWORK DINNER DANCE

The National Police Support Network�s President, Nelson Dones, would like to let everyone know that their Dinner Dance will be held on November 17, 2004 at the Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

This organization provides a lot of help to police officers throughout the country.

Check out their web site for more information on the dinner dance, and to learn more about the organization and what you can do to help.

www.policesupport.com

One of the honorees at this event will be recently retired Chief Ronald Rowland.


POLICING RIVERDALE

Did you know that from January 1, 1874 to May 29, 1874 the City of New York paid the Yonkers Police Department to police the Riverdale - Kingsbridge area of the Bronx?

Because the NYPD lacked the manpower to police the newly annexed territory, they sought the assistance of our neighboring department. Those same Yonkers police officers then did a lateral transfer at their assigned rank to the NYPD and became the genesis of what today is the 50th Precinct


SO WHAT ABOUT THAT CURSE?

It�s certainly a good time to be a Red Sox fan, as I�m sure Jay Genna can relate. I guess it�s our turn to get sick and tired of hearing about this dreaded curse; we�ve been dishing it out to Sox fans for over eighty years now. It�s our turn to hear about the �death of the curse� now ad-nauseum!

It wasn�t an easy time, though, as Jay Genna of the 77 Squad will tell you.

Here you go, once again your beloved Sox facing the dreaded Yankees, and down 3 games to none in the ALCS series. Jay spent Game 5 of the ALCS in the squad�s coffe room � closet because when he got a cup of coffee Ortiz hit a home run! He stayed in the closet for luck! For about 5 hours! Well, you can come out of the closet now, Jay. No more harassing by those super Yankee fans Vito and Nicky.

I understand as Jay was celebrating, Nicky was getting sick, replacing Jay on the window ledge ready to leap. It didn�t help any that the games went as long as they did. Nicky, who has a documented sleeping disorder (as anyone who knows Nicky can attest to!) found himself all wound up during the Yankee-Red Sox series. Not wishing to endure it all by himself, I understand he took to making sure that Vito � and his family � were also awake for the extra-innings of the series. He may not have been there in person but I know that Jay Genna was at Fenway Park in spirit � he�s been rooting for the Sox forever; he�s put up with a lot in the past, now it�s his turn. Too bad you couldn�t get Nicky and Vito to take a turn in the closet for a few hours!


MORE ON THE 77 SQUAD FRONT

The 77 Squad Christmas-Retirement Party is scheduled for October 8. Payment of $60 is due in full by Nov. 5.

The squad will be honoring several retirees. Come out and give your regards that night to Sgt.'s Steve Contino & Dan Shook, and Det.'s Johnny Belfort, Billy (RIP) Franklin, Ronny Orgias, Angel Jimenez and John Muller. What a great cast. And what a big loss to that squad. Best of luck, brothers!


INTERESTING WEB SITE

This site is a photo gallery of old NYPD RMP�s and motorcycles. Real nice!

www.pdnyc.com/photo.html

Investigators' Guide To the Internet.
This link will bring you Chapter 5 of a text that is intended as a guide for investigators. If you get into this site you can search around to the chapters before and after; I�ll be publishing the others soon. (Hint: Change the �ch5.� To the other chapters and click.)

http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/soi_ch5.htmcondor


FROM THE HUMIDOR

Thanks to Joe Tallarine and others in the 83 Squad for finding this little shop in nearby Glendale.

Home of Tobacco Products is located at 62-01 Myrtle Ave, just off Fresh Pond Road. They hand-roll their own cigars right in front of you, and have a variety of sizes and styles in stock. If you�ve ever been to Sanchez Cigars in Manhattan, this is a look-alike shop. It�s worth the trip to stock up on some cigars; you won�t be disappointed. Junior LaBarbera would love this place!

Home of Tobacco Products 62-01 Myrtle Ave, Glendale NY (718) 366-3990
www.TobaccoPro.com

As long as I mentioned it, I might as well give you the info on Sanchez Cigars. If you�re in the MSG area, stop by. �Cuban Hand Rolled Cigars� can be found here, according to his sign. The cigars are very good, and the prices are very reasonable. Can any of our Manhattan South brothers attest to this? As for the sign, as it was explained to me: �I am Cuban. I roll them with my hands. These are Cuban hand rolled�. Seriously, though, the cigars are very good.

Sanchez Cigars 265 W. 30 Street (8 Ave) NYC 212-239-8861


ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THAT�

Sgt. John Coughlin of the 79 Squad, a member of the NYPD�s Finest Boxing Team, is training a contender for a Brooklyn North "smoker"?


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

October 22, 1907 Ptl Eugene Sheehan, 3 Pct, Shot by prisoner
October 22, 1931 Det Guido Pessagano, 20 Sqd, Shot-arrest
October 22, 1970 Ptl Gerald Murphy, 9 Pct, Shot-Arrest, off duty
October 22, 1972 Ptl Joseph Meaders, 63 Pct, Crushed by oil truck
October 24, 1935 Capt Richard McHale, 109 Pct, Shot by disgruntled MOS
October 24, 1939 Ptl Anthony Buckner, 32 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
October 26, 1897 Ptl Frederick Smith, 14 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
October 26, 1910 Ptl James Mangen, 144 Pct, Head injury, rescue
October 28, 1888 Ptl James Brennan, 21 Pct, Assaulted during arrest
October 28, 1945 Ptl James Bussey, 18 Pct, Shot-investigation
October 29, 1962 Det John Tobin, BCI, LOD Heart attack
October 29, 1982 PO James Whittington, PBBN FIAU, Shot-off duty
November 1, 1923 Ptl Ace Swinder, 33 Pct, Motorcycle accident
November 1, 1931 Ptl Howard Peterson, 66 Pct, LOD Accident