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About the New York Police Department
(NYPD):
The first law-enforcement officer began
to patrol the trails and paths of New York City when it was known as New Amsterdam, and was a Dutch settlement and fort in
the year 1625. This lawman was known as a "Schout – fiscal" (sheriff – attorney) and was charged with keeping
the peace, settling minor disputes, and warning colonists if fires broke out at night. The first Schout was a man named Johann
Lampo.
The Rattle Watch was a group of colonists
during the Dutch era (1609 - 1664) who patrolled from sunset until dawn. They carried weapons, lanterns and wooden rattles
(that are similar to the ratchet noisemakers used during New Year celebrations). The rattles made a very loud, distinctive
sound and were used to warn farmers and colonists of threatening situations. Upon hearing this sound, the colonists would
rally to defend themselves or form bucket-brigades to put out fires. The rattles were used because whistles had not yet been
invented. The Rattle Watchmen also are believed to have carried lanterns that had green glass inserts. This was to help identify
them while they were on patrol at night (as there were no streetlights at that time). When they returned to their Watch House
from patrol, they hung their lantern on a hook by the front door to show that the Watchman was present in the Watch House.
Today, green lights are still hung outside the entrances of Police Precincts as a symbol that the "Watch" is present and vigilant.
When the High Constable of New York City,
Jacob Hays retired from service in 1844, permission was granted by the Governor of the state to the Mayor of the City to create
a Police Department. A force of approximately 800 men under the first Chief of Police, George W. Matsell, began to patrol
the City in July of 1845. They wore badges that had an eight-pointed star (representing the first 8 paid members of the old
Watch during Dutch times). The badges had the seal of the City in their center and were made of stamped copper.
Source:
nycpolicemuseum.org
/html/faq.html#begin
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Robert Fasone received a degree in Liberal Arts at Kingsborough Community College and graduated cum laude with a degree in English from Brooklyn College in 1987. His first
job had little to do with his degree in English. He was hired as a collector and then promoted to a credit analyst at Security Pacific Bank in New York. He worked for a short time at the Belding Hemingway
Company as a credit analyst before becoming a New York City Police Officer. Robert worked as a cop in Manhattan South; primarily in the 1st and 9th Precincts. Robert and his family moved to South Florida, where he worked at American Express Travel Related Services for fourteen years, most
recently as their Regulatory Compliance Manager in American Express' Ft. Lauderdale
offices.
Robert Fasone is the author of two novels: Bread Upon the Water and A Chase After Wind.
According to the description of Bread Upon the Water, “Sonny DiBari is an Italian immigrant who jumps ship
to start life in a new country. Life is food on the table and working to provide it. Gussie believes children should support
the family in any way she decides. Her kids don’t feel the same way. It is all she can do to manage the chaos. Sonnyboy
is awaiting the trial date determining the course of his life. Vinny will do what is needed to help the family, including
running to the Mafia. Valencia lives life her way or no way. Anna marries a man who hates her family. Debra’s passion
is food. Samantha’s mistake leads to a terrible secret. Rosa works for the family. She wants out, but won’t make
the same mistake her older sisters made. Life in the DiBari family is not what it should be, but it can never be anything
more than it is.”
According to the description of A Chase After Wind, “Neil “Momma” Mia was a lieutenant in the
NYPD spearheading the narcotics war against Manual Cordova. His uneasy alliance with Don Gino Armenti led him to defy direct
orders to save the Don’s son from Cordova. Momma did his job too well, and it all became personal when Cordova ordered
the brutal murder of Mia’s wife. Neil threw down his badge and went on a bloody rampage seeking vengeance, leaving a
trail of dead bodies in his wake. Cordova sent a terrifying message: Christy Mia was next. Momma had to save his daughter,
and with the assistance of Don Armenti, began a life on the run. Five years later Cordova took the one precious thing Neil
Mia lived for…or did he…? The only way for Momma to find out was to pursue those responsible, not only to save
Christy’s life, but to redeem his own…and discover the truth.”
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