1. Full Circle:  When I heard what he had done, I said, “How like him!  So courageous.  So caring.”  Upon reflection, I realized that “we had come a long way.”

When I was a child, I was taught that the policeman was my friend and if I ever became lost, he was the one to turn to for help.   When I was just 21, I proudly became a Deputy Sheriff in Nevada, and went from there to the Records Department of the LVPD.  Decades later, I had become a teacher, subsequent to participating in the civil rights movement and grieving over the assassination of trusted leaders like JFK and MLK.  In the early 70’s, at Better Beginnings, we were teaching children about “community helpers”.  One four-year-old drew a picture of a policeman, arm straight out, holding a gun, and pointing it at a child.   Something inside me scrunched up into a little ball of dismay.   What an upside down world for these children, I thought, when those we are to trust, who are our protectors, are seen as untrustworthy.   And, as we who were there at the time recall, not without reason.  The picture the child drew was from his own memory and scenes he had witnessed.

That was a long time ago but the drawing is seared into my mind.  I spent much time thinking about the healing that was needed and what I ought to do.

2. The Spinning Wheel Spins:  Gratefully, I was not alone in recognizing the need for healing, backed up with a strong dose of understanding.  Wheels began to turn, and the spinning began.  Within a short time, a black policeman was appointed.  He was Officer Jimmy Jackson, and he was happy to visit us wearing his uniform, looking handsome, smiling, being kind and helpful.   He began the healing of the dreadful wound.  He demonstrated that, like other groups, all policemen are not the same!  He is memorialized at Better Beginnings.  His sister, Minnie Bell, and his niece, Frances Rios, who remember him monthly, with heartfelt sorrow and pride, have established a fund in his name.

As much as he did towards promoting justice and fair play, as have the heroes who followed, still the wound still festers and spews forth from time to time.  We are all reminded of the work we must do in learning to judge each other by our humanity, and not by outward appearances, skills, race, etc.  There is still work – much work - to be done.

Chief Spain and Lieutenant Brady of the East Windsor Police Department have gone a long way in developing community confidence.

For example, right after September 11, the students in our After School Program (the Super:BBs) said they had seen policemen around their several schools.  They wondered what was going on.  In fact, what they really wanted to know, they told me, was what the Police are doing to protect them.

We had met the above gentlemen in some of their outreach endeavors, in particular the innovative Domestic Violence Response Team.  Some members of our Faculty and Board of Directors had volunteered to participate on the Team.   So, I felt comfortable calling the Chief and telling him what the young people had said.   What happened next startled me.   I thought he might send a patrolman over to talk to the kids in about a week or so.

Nun-uh.   The Chief and Lt. Brady their very selves arrived within a half-hour.  They sat around the table with our youth and answered all their questions.  They told them that they were giving them the same answers they gave their own children.   My guys were impressed.  Me too.   I wish I had asked the young people then and there to draw a picture of a policeman.  My bet is they would have depicted a policeman with his arms around them, protecting them from all evil.  As it is, on that Halloween, I noticed many wearing costumes of Policemen and Firemen, the current superheroes.   (cont.)

3. Aside:  The very first story I wrote for the Herald, by the way, was before I started working at Better Beginnings, and was inspired by my awe of the valiant firemen who volunteer to put themselves in harms’ way.  But I digress.

4. Interwoven Strands:  There have been many strands woven by the superheroic.  In all cases, their response time is quick and officers have shown genuine concern.  During the worst of times, our young people respected Sgt. Reppy as one who had a genuine interest in their well-being.   Another example:  a Hightstown policeman answers a call for an ambulance because one of our children is beestung and is allergic.  He is troubled by the length of time it took for them to come from Jamesburg. (a situation since corrected) His compassion, close observation, and concern for the child impresses every one of us.   We feel confident and certain that if necessary, he is prepared to take whatever action is needed.

The day after the Oklahoma bombing, I asked the teachers to take a walk to the Police Department to show them how close by they were, ready to protect us.  I thought just the walk would help.  Instead Chief Hopkins (now retired) invited them in and gave them an impromptu tour.

We were impressed.

When Glen Runge joined the Hightstown Police Department, he brought a big and willing heart with him.  He heard we needed Board members.  He volunteered and served us well.   He put together a softball team, for instance, and challenged the firemen several times to a game, as fundraisers.

A couple of years later, the Officers started collected toys and escorting “Santa” for a yearly visit.  During this time, the Officers would interact with our young students, encouraging confidence.

5. The Whole Cloth:  Through the years there have been many who have given positive support.  They include Hightstown Hightstown Chief James M. Eufemia, Detective Sergeant William Froehlich, John Fiore, Homer Justice, Dave Jackson, and many others.  Both the Hightstown and East Windsor P.B.A.’s give financial help for special projects, such as our “toy weapon exchange” which has been melded into their National Night Out.

6. Now, the latest:  A house is burning.  The call has been made, and the protectors have gathered.  The owner is at work.  Inside the house are two dogs.  As it happens, the dogs are known and loved by my daughter, Jaymie, a pet sitter.   The owner was kind enough to send word to Jaymie that the dogs are safe because a fireman had gone back inside to rescue them.   Jaymie commissioned me to find out who that heroic, courageous, compassionate person was.   She thought he should be thanked.

I asked around, but I was not successful.  Then I picked up the Herald.   On the front page, I read the story.  You may have, too, and if you did, you know that the man who went back for the dogs was our beloved hero, Lt. James Brady.  How like him!  Thank you, Jim.

We have come full circle.   You have spun a protective, caring cocoon for our youth. Thank you from all of us kid lovers and animal lovers and people lovers to you, our “everyday” heroes.   Thank you for protecting us, for your compassion, for your courage, and especially for restoring the confidence of our children in you.

For our part, we hold ourselves responsible to teach the importance of following rules, respecting ourselves and others, practicing peaceful problem solving, and avoiding destructive behaviors.  Just as you do, we take our role seriously.