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Publisher’s Weekly said of Rock Solid,
“Detective Bose and Sergeant Barchiesi of the New York City police department became partners in 1985, a time when both
were concerned about activity in and around 507 E. 11th Street. The building, owned by the city, had been taken over by drug
dealers, who turned it into a sort of fortress, with secret passages, concealed exits and the like. It became a drug supermarket,
with customers queuing in block-long lines 24 hours a day. Behind the enterprise was Alejandro "Tito" Lopez, who
reportedly committed some 19 murders. How Bose and Barchiesi devoted the next four years to a monomaniacal nationwide quest
to arrest Lopez is the subject of this absorbing book, written with novelist LeMoult. The drug lord is now serving a 33-years-to-life
sentence. Unfortunately, Bose and Barchiesi became disillusioned with the department and only Bose continues to serve. Their
account of the self-protective timidity of the NYPD brass is profoundly depressing.”
The Library Journal said of Rock Solid
“New York City policemen Bose and Barchiesi spent four years waging their own war on drugs against a major cocaine ring,
which resulted in the conviction of ringleader Alejandro Lopez. The gang, using the brand name "Rock Solid," operated
on the Lower East Side and was implicated in 19 murders. This is strictly a good guys-bad guys story. In addition to the drug
dealers, referred to as "scumbags" throughout, the authors vent their wrath on the police bureaucracy and legalities
which they felt tied their hands. Although one-sided, this book provides insight into the drug wars, and it is appropriate
for larger crime collections.”
One reader said of Rock Solid,
“Really good book about one drug dealer in NYC when crack hit with its devastating impact and deadly consequences. Like
most books on this topic, deals with the rise and ultimate fall of a drug dealer. Author gives great descriptions and you'll
be able to imagine the locations as if you've been there before.”
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From the History
of the New York Police Department Mayor Lee, in his annual message, in the succeeding year, expressed the opinion that the Watch Department
required the immediate attention of the Common Council, as the number of Watchmen, however faithful and vigilant, was utterly
insufficient to guard the property and person of the citizens. There were some watch-posts, the Mayor said, which could not
be carefully patrolled in a less time than from one to two hours. From the best obtainable information, Mayor Lee said the
Watchmen had been increased not exceeding from fifteen to twenty-five per cent, during a period of time in which the population
and the property of the city had been augmented one hundred per cent.
During the year 1813 the Watch force
was increased from time to time by the appointment of additional men for the different Wards. Watchmen injured in the performance
of their duty were generally allowed a sum of money, varying according to the extent of their wounds.
The Rotunda was erected in 1818 by
Vandelyn, the artist, for a studio and the exhibition of panoramic pictures. The post-office was installed in the Rotunda,
immediately after the destruction of the old post-office in the great fire of 1835. When it was understood the government
proposed to accept the Rotunda, the merchants got up very demonstrative indignation meetings and protests against locating
a post-office so far up town. the pressure to get the post-office "down town" still continued, and advantage was
taken of the fact that the Middle Dutch church was for sale to procure it for the post-office. That was in 1845.
Source: Our Police Protectors Holice and Debbie
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