Officer Whatley, who grew up in Detroit’s 9th precinct, had first considered a career as a lawyer. Her sister, who was a police officer, convinced her that this kind of work would be a better fit for her, and her sister turned out to be right. Some of our Neighborhood Police Officers become NPO’s well into their police careers, but Officer Whatley found her niche early on.

Later this month, my husband and I will go to Denver to hug our daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons for the first time in months. The freedom and peace of mind the vaccine has given us is priceless. But according to a recent report from city officials, only 20% of MorningSide residents eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine have gotten it.

Tragic encounters between the police and mentally ill have been happening around the country. People with a mental health diagnosis are 16 times more likely to be shot by the police than those who are not mentally ill.

Neighborhood Police Officer Willie Soles has deep roots in the 5th Precinct. He was born and raised in the Mack and Bewick area, the youngest of nine, and the only boy. “Being the only boy meant I learned how to cook and sew. I can pretty much take care of myself,” he says with a laugh.

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with winter. A snowy day on Belle Isle can be magical. Getting your car stuck in snow is not. On the cusp of another winter, I wrote these two poems as a way of coping. Embrace whichever one suits you. After all, our attitude is just about the only thing we can control in the next few months.