By Barbara Morris
True, winter might still give us a blast or two of frigid weather – maybe even more snow – but the daffodil bulbs are sprouting and the tree buds are beginning to swell.Southeast Queens has taken giant steps toward improvement over the last few years, including safety. Some communities have learned that effective law enforcement is a two-way street. If you want to be safe in a safe community, you must work with the police, not against them. The more closely you work with the police (or participate in their many effective programs), the stronger the bond becomes between law enforcement and the communities they serve.One of the attitudes that caused crime to mushroom years ago was the idea that no one in your acquaintance, community, or (yes) family could, or would, ever do something wrong. If life has taught me any hard lessons, the one that hurt the most is that people are very complex and many have natures and secrets that we just do not want to believe.Many years ago one of my grade school playmates, a very bright, sweet little girl, grew up to become a troubled young woman who took a shotgun and blasted her parents to death while they slept in bed. At first, I was glad we had not stayed in contact. I didn't even follow her trial, nor do I know what happened to her. But in retrospect, had we stayed on the same close path, if I had seen some changes in her attitudes, I might have found some way to help her – probably through the NYPD.I have great faith in our officers. One who was recently rewarded an honor for extraordinary law enforcement work is P.O. Robert Rizzotto, who was made Cop of the Year 2004. The ceremony presentation took place with his family members present at the February meeting of the 105th Precinct Council. Are we ever proud of him. Another award winner that night was long time Laurelton/Springfield Gardens friend, P.O. Laurie Harnisch, November's Cop of the Month, now thankfully fully recovered after a long illness. She certainly got back in stride quickly.January had two Cop of the Month awards – one to P.O. Ross Nasierowski, the other to P.O. Joseph Minnucci. All of these officers have earned the respect and admiration for their exceptional law enforcement work from a very grateful community.We thank them and we thank our Patrol Borough Queens South Commanding Assistant Officer, Assistant Chief Thomas V. Dale, who invited members of his command to show the rest of us that they not only have families and other interests, but they also have talents, and a variety of them as well.Once Assistant Chief Dale decided on the date (March 10), and place (York College), he along with Sgt. Penny Waithall and a lot of other folks began to put together a wonderful, free show for us. It was a big production! Chief Dale welcomed everyone, after some rousing music by the department's marching band. The National Anthem followed his welcome and was sung by P.O. Kelly Tafe, of the 102nd Pct., who later also sang “The Rose.”Lt. Mike Gleason, of the 107th, sang two Frank Sinatra specials, “That's Life” and “Mac, the Knife.” PAA Barbara Bell, of the 107th, with husband and other family members presented an instrumental/vocal number. Nappy's Angels (named after P.O. Napolitano) consisted of P.O. Diane Dixon, PAA Pam Davis, EPCS Denise Williams and P.O. Ed Lindo (all from the 103rd) performed Whitney Houston's “The Greatest Love of All.”P.O. Flora Krind, of the 113th, sang “Good Morning Heartache.” P.O. Matt Ricci, of the 107th, gave himself and his drums a real workout. Sgt. Dave Kalin, of the 102nd, changed the pace with a piano selection, “Moonlight Sonata.” P.O. Dwayne Franklin, of the 101st, and P.O. Ed Lindo, of the 103rd, were both D.J.s challenging each other to a music duel. Auxiliary Officer Sheny Berk, of the 106th, gave us his comedy act.From the Rockaways 101st Precinct, P.O. Michelle Alexander, P.O. Veronica Schultz, P.O. Clynette Jordan, P.O. Jean Desir, P.O. Shaquan Harvin, P.O. Denyta Hunter, P.O. Maura Moore and P.O. Clyde Spruell got together to perform “My Guy” and “Mr. Big Stuff.”Another change of pace came in sequins and multi-colored wigs, singing Tina Turner's “Proud Mary” and dancing “Just like the Rockettes,” with P.O. Nicole Dean, of the 105th, Flora Krind, of the 113th, Det. Ayanna Moree, of the Patrol Borough Queens South, P.O. Denyta Hunter, of the 101st, P.O. Stephen Keeley and Sgt. Thomas Aurandt, both of the 113th, and P.O. Tommy. Bowden, of Patrol Borough Queens South sang “I Will Survive” and “Hard to Handle.”Thanks to all of them and our talented master of ceremonies and good teller of jokes, Inspector Michael Morley.
