Helpful Police

An Email exchange between me and the Maryland Heights Police:

Me:

This message is just a Thank You to you and to the officer who, by being kind and generous, saved my life. 

Officer Maureen Baker was patrolling in Creve Coeur Lake Park when I was riding my bike.  Thanks to a heart condition and other circumstances, I "hit a wall" as they say, and could not peddle any more.  After my usual trip around the lake (approx. 6 miles), I realized that I had left my backpack on a park bench when I took a break.  The thought of biking back to retrieve it really scared me. 

Officer Baker came by and asked if I were OK and I explained the situation.  She said she could not do anything about my bike, but she could drive me back to where I had forgotten the backpack.  I accepted and was very grateful.

Not only did she drive me to the park bench where I had left my backpack, which held my wallet, she also then drove me back to where I left my bike.

I was so relieved.  It was a hot October day, Oct 14, and I really overdid it.... 

These days when the community and the Police not always see eye to eye, it is great to see this great generosity by your officer. 

Please extend a warm THANK YOU from me. 

REPLY:

Dear Mr. Gavatin,

Thank you for taking the time to compliment Maryland Heights Police Officer Maureen Baker in your recent email. Our department prides itself on the caliber of the men and women we employ.  A great deal of time and effort is devoted to the selection, training and development of our employees.  When we receive complimentary correspondence such as you have written it reinforces our commitment to our high professional standards.  

A copy of your email has been placed in Officer Baker’s personnel file and a copy was also given to her supervisor.

 Once again thank you for your kind words.

 Sincerely,

Colonel Bill Carson

Chief of Police

Maryland Heights Police Department

11911 Dorsett Road

Maryland Heights, MO 63043-2597

Main: 314-298-8700

Direct: 314-738-2301

Fax: 314-738-2501 

The Mayor

Berlin 1933 Population:  4,242,501  
Los Angeles 2016 Population: 3,976 322

Just watched the Mayor's appearance at IKAR on Yom Kippur.

Leaving aside the tired old saying about "sticking to one's day job", in the spirit of the season, I hope you realize how UNIMAGINABLE this would have been only 50 or 75 yrs ago: The Mayor of Major City, singing in his Synagogue on Yom Kippur.  If that would even have been suggested in a European city or even in a US city just a generation ago, the suggester would have been ridiculed.  

In my work with the Shemone Esreh, I suggest that the true theme of the Amidah is what I call NTAG: Never Take Anything for Granted. 

 But it is so easy to do!  And it is for that reason, the ease with which we forget to not take anything for granted, that the tradition urges us to say it thrice daily.

So please, savor the fact that we live in a country and in an era, where a Mayor of a
3,976 322 people city can sing (well...) before a jubilant congregation.   

Never Forget that!!!!!

Because if you forget that, 1933 Berlin will happen again!!

Stay well and keep up the good work!!