What is up with the City this week? Last week, I was in DC, and yes, there were a lot of panhandlers, but they were relatively non-violent, and crime actually seems to be under control. I was able to walk around Dupont Circle, the monuments, and around Arlington without fear of my life.
Here in NYC, there are about half the panhandlers, but dag, we had in just four days:
- a serial auxiliary cop killer (one victim only 19 who was going to my alma mater, NYU, RIP) stopped dead in his tracks in my old haunts where I’ve walked around at 4 in the morning
- a weird guy whacking people in the head with a machete (back in the Wild Wide West NYC of the late 80’s, I’ve actually been stabbed with one, and I can tell you it’s not pleasant),
- and yesterday random mob posses fighting over a foul at a high school basketball game, with shots fired and 21 arrested.
I have that uncertain feeling that one or two more of these kinds of incidents will be be the tipping point toward a meaner New York. Or is just the upswing in the cycle that we can’t do anything about?
MSG’s announcer had it right: “What the (bleep) is wrong with y’all? Come on!” We just don’t need this.
P’s brother, the cop, stayed over after working St. Patrick’s Day so that he could catch the Sunday matinee of 300. He wasn’t in uniform, but he did have his piece on him. I hope he isn’t called upon to use it.
Been a bit quiet lately – my dad’s 2 year anniversary was on Sunday. It wasn’t sad – when we visited, the snow covered everything in a white carpet. It was a good chance to hook up with my sister and plan what we are going to do for our cousin’s June wedding in Toronto.