Ralph E Smith- Publisher Thank You        Mr. Smith:       August 4, 2003 Thank you for your concern for us and our families. I tried writing COBA, but until today, no response from them at the union hall.  Why is it so difficult for them to encourage their own. WE ARE FAMILY, yeah right!!!!  No one knows anything because no one cares.  At the academy, all these groups that claim to represent us came, took our money and sold us a dream. WHERE ARE THEY NOW.  One thing I can say is that you're the only one who cares enough to write about us and even give us a forum to address our concerns. Thank you, God bless, A Forgotten Officer

The Guardian Chronicle                  The Magazine for Law Enforcement, Community and Youth  7/9/03 (Letter sent to the Guardian Chronicle News Desk) Dear Friends: I'm one of the 315 laid off correction officers. I'm deeply troubled and sad in seeing how no cares about us or our families.  I'm married with three (3) beautiful children and loving and caring wife. It's very difficult for me and other officers to explain to our families about the effects of the laid off  has on us as individuals. I worked for the city for 14 years. Have taken and pass at least 5 civil service exam, but was never pick up off any list. It's a SHAME that Mayor Bloomberg after being backed by THE ONLY UNION COBA can turn around hurt us with these laid off. Then he turns around hires back our Brothers in the Department of Sanitation. Hires 1500 of our NYPD Brothers, But not a word in regard to Correction. I don't understand why this Mayor treats us like Garbage.  We are CORRECTION OFFICERS, AND NOT LOW LIFE NOT CRIMINALS. WE ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS RECOGNIZED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It appears that he cares more about traffic tickets, than he does about us and our families. He and the NY Media forget that after an arrest is made everyone forgets, But we have to deal with these offenders and Criminals every day. Every day all correction officers placed themselves in harms way just by showing up to work and do a decent, caring, and professional job on a daily basis. No information has been given to us. We don't have a clue about our future in correction, if there is one for us. All the Media is good for is disrespecting decent hard working officers, who care and love this great city we all call home. They call us "jail guards," "criminals with shields." Our duty is Care, Custody, and Control. Where is the "G" in all of this?  I asked my little girl what would you call someone who can help people's lives but does not care to help. She answered a very bad person. Thank you. Forgotten Officer

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