NYPD To The Rescue

NYPD: A helping hand

In my recent post, Safety Tips For Travelers To New York, I casually joked (there's also images of myself with two of NY's finest) "If you feel uncomfortable or lost, approach a police officer or a friendly store owner to get your bearings or directions". Seriously, do what I’ve done on many occasions, find a police officer if you are lost, you will find them helpful and understanding. Especially if you are lost. Note, it pays to be polite, and no sudden movements when you approach them ….

NYPD holding the line

My first visit to New York was over 30 years ago, and I've been coming on a regular basis ever since. I moved permanently in 2008, when I bravely married a New Yorker.

NYPD protecting the community 

In the 1970s the local NYPD were getting a lot of bad press, but ever since then, I noticed the improvements in their social skills, and I now have the highest respect for them.

NYPD in the 1970s

Did you know that the NYPD is America’s biggest police force? They are constantly working harder to make themselves, and their city both safer and less violent. It may be just me, but wherever I turn my head there stand a couple of police officers guarding the civilians around them. And when trouble comes calling, there comes 3/4 or more police cars turning up at the scene. This is truly reassuring.

Friendly NYPD

My latest contact with the local police was back on April 2, 2015. Vyna and I were in our upstairs office facing the main street, when she heard the alarm sound off indicating an intruder(s). This was approximately 11:45 in the evening. Vyna's response was great; she quickly locked the office door while pulling the table against the door, while dialing 911. Let me just say, this was a bit of a fumble for both of us, as our hearts were thumping inside our chests. Admittedly, I was more than a little scared, but before my fear escalated, the NYPD arrived at our residence within 4 minutes. They shouted up through the window to stay in the room, and Vyna threw the door keys to the house at them, via our office window. While safely upstairs, we could hear them going from room to room, and because Vyna could hear all the different sounds of voices downstairs, she thought, at some point, that they actually caught someone (remember, she only spoke to 2 cops while she was at the window). After what seems like an intercity to us, the police finally called her out of the room, and invited her to come downstairs. To Vyna's amazement, when she arrived at the bottom of the stairs, she was facing an army of 12 heavily armed police officers! Can you believe it?! While she walked towards the kitchen she was informed that one of the officers unfortunately bumped his head on one of the hanging pots and pans in the kitchen (he was quite tall, mind you). They also nearly shot the back door because Vyna hanged her garden clothes, and her hammock behind a long gray curtain that keeps the draft away - the female officer explained how she thought someone was hiding behind the curtain.

Smile!

After searching the entire house, and not finding a single intruder, they compliment us on our present state of mind, as we able to stay in the room until the police arrived. The conclusion of the alarm that was dispatched was simple, a faulty alarm. One officer indicated that he experienced a similar incident himself. They departed the house, and to our further peace of mind, we noticed that they stayed outside the house for awhile. We were both impressed, and thankful for their prompt arrival, and let's face it, they did put their lives on the line for us. At the end, we did not view this as a false alarm, because the NYPD have earned our respect by the way they interacted with us.

Fun Photo's

Nothing Is Missed!

"You are under arrest"
The New York Police Department posted this photo after one of its officers saved a kitten from an engine block.

My favorite sight in New York!