Community Service

 

   
Labor and Delivery:

In my ten years in the 30th Precinct, I was to handle almost every type of assignment. The one that stands out is the female in labor. My partner and I got that call in a snowy winter day. We had to climb 5 flights of stairs as there are no elevators on 5 story walkups. Upon entering the apt we were greeted by the entire Hispanic family and taken into the bedroom where a young female was in labor. Soon we found out that the grandmother wanted us to perform a Cesarean as she brought a boiling hot water pot with a large knife in it. I looked at my partner and wrapped a blanket about her and a kitchen chair and carried her down the 5 flights of stairs to our car. She delivered about an hour later at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. It would not be until I was a Sergeant in the 90th Precinct that I would assist a woman in a natural childbirth.

Note, I was always amazed at the faith and trust that people had in the police early in my Police career. I really don’t know when that lack of confidence occurred.

Summer Camp:

There was an area in the Precinct known as Sugar Hill. This area housed some of the most influential leaders in the Harlem community. It was part of the Harlem Renaissance which included many historical residences from the Roaring 20s.
Well there was a Sugar Hill men’s club which sponsored a trip to the Adirondacks.

Two officers were assigned to 8 male Black teenagers and were to go camping along the Saranac River. I don’t remember all the details, but I did bring my camper trailer to the site. A local forest ranger would check on us and bring us some firewood for the nightly campfire. I think we were given $500 for the trip, gas and food. we arrived on Sunday and left on Saturday.

Somehow, we survived and the program was a success. We were on duty all the time, and armed. We did not encounter any bears or ticks. The teenagers slept in pup tents and one day a raccoon came to the campfire.

I spoke with my 30th Precinct partner Kenny Mac, also a McClancy grad, who refreshed my memory, actually he was amazed about our memories.

Kenny said I cooked breakfast every morning, he remembers the bacon and eggs over the open campfire. We went to town for supplies and had sandwiches for lunch. Dinner was usually hot dogs and hamburgers. We were given sporting equipment and played football and softball. One night we took the kids to a drive-in movie. One kid said he never took a bath, so we went swimming in the river. The kids had a good time listening to my stories at the nighty campfire meeting, even then I was good at embellishing hunting stories.

It was either 1971-2 and the program lasted all summer, the police officers were given comp time for their days off. Apparently 500 dollars went a long way. Although the program was a success the city did not continue it in the following years. The Community affairs officer arranged for the Sugar Hill men’s club to sponsor the trip and provided us with an itinery, and supervision. There were no cellphones only a dime phone in town.

Christmas Party:

It was a tradition to hold the annual Christmas party at the neighboring school basketball court. This party was not only for the kids of the police officers but also for the kids in the precinct. At this party one officer P.K. played Santa, he loved Budweiser and one of my daughters said, Santa smells of beer. One of my Sergeants would bring his 8-yr old niece to sing and dance, later she became a tv star as the Nanny, Fran Drescher. I was fortunate to have many good sergeants who mentored me. ###

Fran Drescher

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