(l-r) Local 237’s Martha Bodhnarain and Charlie Cotto, Officer Malik Forbes, Officer Luis Rivera II, Officer Martine Outlaw, Det Miriam Torres, Lt Samantha Cruz, Officer Deshawn Alexander, Officer Jason Martinez, Local 237’s Larry Bosley and President Gregory Floyd.

Monikers have meaning. A slogan or nickname is intended to epitomize the chief quality or characteristic of a person or a group. For members of the NYPD, it’s “the Finest”; the Fire Department is “the Bravest” and the Sanitation Department, “the Strongest”. For Local 237 members, with titles from A to Z, it’s a lot more complicated to identify one nickname that encompasses all of the jobs we do. So, what is the common thread that applies to our members — whose daily work makes a significant difference in the lives of all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable — and who rose to new heights as essential workers throughout the pandemic? What one word would best describes them all? How about “The Most Reliable”? New Yorkers count on us and we deliver. And through our editions of Newsline, we have featured and will continue to feature Local 237 members whose tireless work underscores the fact that yes, we need “the Finest”, “the Bravest” and “the Strongest” and we certainly need the “Most Reliable” too.

DHS Police 2021 Medal Day May 12, 2021

More than one half million people are homeless in America. 35% are unsheltered. The more than 80,000 homeless people in New York City — 4,000 of whom sleep on the street and in the subways — accounts for 20% of the nation’s entire homeless population. The pandemic hit everyone hard, especially homeless people, for whom the shelter system made enforcement of Covid-related restrictions and precautions virtually impossible to implement and enforce. The City sought to devise a way to limit the risks by transferring 8,000 homeless people from shelters into hotels, which was greeted with tremendous community opposition. Most recently, with Covid-19 infection rates at a record low, Governor Cuomo lifted most remaining restrictions prompting the DeBlasio Administration to prepare to move those homeless back into the shelters. Our members of the Department of Homeless Services’ Police Officers really have their work cut out for them! Taking on this new challenge demonstrates that among their many attributes, the “Reliable” moniker surely fits. They have a tough job that deals with a very vulnerable clientele, the bureaucracy, and the public who just want the problem to go away. It has been 5 years since their efforts were publicly recognized. In May, those DHS Police Officers, who gave above and beyond the call of duty, were honored at an award ceremony. Local 237 President Gregory Floyd was on hand to congratulate them. He said at the time: “These DHS Officers are heroes. No, they may not run into a burning building every day, or apprehend a killer every day or even protect us from rats and other vermin every day, but their work does entail all of these essential acts at any time, and for this, we must be grateful.”

(l-r) Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, Abnerson Rosil, Courtney Lacrete, LCSW DHS Administrator Joslyn Carter, Djeff Hyacinthe, Ernest Hodge, DC Anthony Notaroberta

Gregory Floyd addresses the audience

(l-r) Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, Dep. Inspector Helmut Darbouze, Capt. Gregory Adams, Capt. Shundell Henry, Capt. Miguel Martinez, Deputy Inspector David Eddie and Local 237’s Charlie Cotto.

Peace officers who work at Charles Gay facility. David Eddie is the Borough commander.