Where's There a Cop When You Need One?

By: Carol Silva

We've all been there. You're on the expressway, a secondary, or even a tertiary LI road (sorry - I don't get a chance to use my SAT word for "third string backroads" very often!) Suddenly someone is whizzing through traffic, driving twice as fast as anyone else. Three times as fast as they should. And doing stupid stuff you know could hurt you.

That's how it was last week as I drove through Glen Cove. I had my 14 year old son with me. I was in the left lane, driving in my little "good on gas" car, behind the Glen Cove movie theater. A pick up truck was slightly ahead of me in the right lane.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I barely saw a van speed out of the movie theater's multi-level parking lot on my right. First - it cut in front of the big pick up truck. I hoped the van driver would then continue straight ahead in the right lane. He didn't. I thought he may have been trying to shear off my front bumper - but much worse - I was worried about him hitting my son, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.

But, I didn't let him. I looked left. Then I swerved slightly left - and I admit it - I honked my horn. A little alert. A little anger. Then I had that flash of frustration - "Where is there a cop when you need one!?!"

Well guess what? He was right behind me! That beautiful Glen Cove City Police Officer in his patrol car. My hero, like a knight on his steed. His candy apple red lights leading his charge in the evening twilight. His siren - the perfect pitch to express my fears that that guy was going to hurt my son. He got him! It was so great to watch!

And so let me take the opportunity to thank every police officer who is there when we need them. Know that I don't take you for granted. And about last week - thanks for catching one - for us little people!

Comments

[Sharon]

GREAT story!
Glad to hear that there was no accident and all worked out for you and your son.