Sunday, May 19, 2013

NYPD Museum Will Come Back Strong

By Antoinette Quinn


Hurricane Sandy may have closed the NYPD Museum for the time being but it will not last forever. The damage done to the building is easily repairable but the impact of what the New York Police have done for the city can never be washed away. There is a pride to being a New Yorker and you can share in some of that by visiting this building.

There is a rich and diverse history that is recorded within its walls and it has three wonderful floors of artifacts that allow visitors to read it like a book. Each floor is designed to tell a different story and hold the interest of a different audience. While everyone can still enjoy the entire experience there is a unique one for everyone.

The first floor of the museum contains the Junior Officer Discovery Zone where children of all ages can enjoy the experience of becoming a police officer. They can see how the recruits go from the academy all the way to driving a patrol car down the street. The education they get and the tools they use everyday in their jobs.

Of course no museum of this kind would be complete without somehow remembering the heroes of 9/11. The first responders that protected us during that tragedy are chronicled on the second floor and it continues on the third as well. There is simply too much to show and tell for it to be contained only on one level.

Various weapons from the 1600's until today are chronicled here. There is nothing that is not mentioned. From the equipment used on the famous horse patrols, to the high-tech bullet proof vests worn by today's special SWAT officers. Each room on this floor is special and each room tells a different part of the same story.

The Third Floor holds some rare artifacts from 9/11 and the First Responders from that day. The heroes that ran into danger to save anyone they could. It also does its best to honor those who did not return because their valor overcame every other emotion. You could almost feel the hope in the air as you view the artwork from some famous artists who have tried to capture some of the days feelings.

All in all the entire collection is something that you must see to really believe. If you have the chance to see it you will remember it forever. There is no place like it anywhere in the country. The building itself was a Police Precinct until 1973 when it was re-purposed and named the NYPD Museum.

The NYPD Museum is really a wonderful and unique experience that you must see for yourself. There is no way to get the true feeling of what it means to be an officer on the greatest force there is but you can at least share in what they have done. You do not have to live in New York to see it. Although the city is very close knit they welcome visitors too and hope that someday everyone could see what it is they are.




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