Boise's Bumbling Police

Today offered a perfect example of just one of the ways Boise's Police Department at times operates like they were trained in Mayberry. Approximately 10:30 a.m. I headed out of my apartment on my bike to send some packages and pay a late fee at Blockbuster. As I started pedaling on my bike, I heard a huge commotion of people yelling back and forth. Since my neighborhood is always quiet, I decided to check it out in case somebody needed a hand.

I took off on my bicycle out the side exit of my apartment complex. That was the complete opposite direction of where I originally wanted to go. Across the street from this exit, is an abandoned armory building that is just a general waste of space that you occasionally see some rather shabby people hanging around. The yelling I originally heard was still going on, and the first thing I saw was an officer behind his squad-car door with his weapon drawn yelling at a person I couldn't see. There were several other cop cars next to him with police out behind their doors.

As I rode by on my bicycle being careful not to get too near, I saw who the police were trying to apprehend. He was a shabbily dressed older man who appeared mentally deranged who was holding a gun, although not displaying it in a threatening manner. He more or less seemed confused in his thoughts and was dangling the gun. Suddenly, I was reminded of my friend, Denis Carey's, bravery a few years ago in Forest Park, Illinois. He was working outside on the deck of his house, which is high up in the air when he saw the police chasing an armed gunman down the alley. Dennie quickly ran between his and his neighbor's garage and waited for the assailant to come within view. At that time, Denny sprang into action tackling the guy and wrestling his gun away from him. He was and is a hero and was so honored by the Forest Park Police.

So a plan sprung to my mind. The guy with the gun I saw obviously was concentrating on the police in front of him and didn't seem to be cognizant of anything else. He was fairly close to the edge of the building behind him. I figured that at a good clip on my bike, which couldn't be heard because of all the shouting, I could come up behind the crazed fucker and tackle him. Since he looked like such a piece of shit, I was sure that my 300 lb. body with former high school wrestling captain skills could handle the assailant.

Just as I was about to attempt knocking this guy on his ass, a woman came walking around the corner, also from behind the building. I let her know not to go in front of the building because there was an armed man being held at gunpoint. She had walked over from the busy street side, which had some sort of sign explaining what was happening. She then told me what was going on, and I was startled.

My apartment complex has 16 apartment buildings with 16 units in each building and is right next to where the police were running this training. Yet, the police did nothing to inform the residence of this complex about an action that was very disruptive to the neighborhood.

What if I would have tackled the guy from behind on my bike? The officers in training wouldn't have been able to stop a guy who they wouldn't see until just before the point of impact. Almost assuredly that officer would have been hurt getting run down by a 300 pounder traveling at about 20 mph. Would I have been liable for any injury? Would I have been arrested?

Later in the day, another scenario crossed my mind. Idaho is a state where many people own weapons. A hunter could have easily shot this cop in disguise from the balcony of his apartment. Someone with a concealed weapon permit could have shot him at close range. What charged would that good citizen have been charged with? I know Boise is a remnant of the Wild Wild West, but putting citizens in a situation where they can get hurt or in trouble simply for trying to be good citizens shows that the Boise Police simply weren't putting the people they are sworn to "serve and protect" first.

All it would take is simple notes on each apartment building explaining what's going on or at a minimum having at least one officer on each side of the building to explain what was happening to passers by .

One Giant Step for Tony-Kind

It's been a long time since I've gone to the doctor's office and received any good news; however, yesterday was the day. After a series of five brain surgeries, 26 sessions of radiation, and one stereotactic radial surgery, I finally received some good news while visiting Dr. Sawyer. Ma, ma, my schwannomma (sorry couldn't avoid that reference) hasn't grown since my radial surgery. That tumor, which is now attached to my brain stem and has cost me use of my right eye, had been growing at an alarming rate and if left unattended, would eventually have taken my life.

Now I know that there is still a long road ahead in this battle against a tumor that has always been a part of me, but at least for now, it isn't growing. I have a ten-week hiatus before another MRI to check on the tumor's status. This doesn't mean that people should stop praying for me or keeping me in their thoughts, it just means that you'll get to enjoy a more carefree Tony for a while.

Yesterday was also the day that I received one of the most thoughtful and unexpected gifts of my lifetime. My Aunt Helen is Uncle Tom's wife. They are both retired and around 80 years old. They have always lived in California during my life, so my opportunities to see them have always been limited. Frankly, I never knew how much I've always been on their minds. Uncle Tom was the chief of staff at a hospital in San Diego, so he is well aware of my medical struggle and has told my mom how proud she should be of the fight I've made against my brain tumors.

When I opened the gift box, a beautiful quilt lay inside with a card explaining its significance. It was made by the Prayer Quilt Ministry in Chula Vista, California. Each knot on the quilt represents a prayer that was said specifically for me. The strings of the knots were left long so that I could have other people who have prayed for me add a knot to the quilt. That chance came quickly because the NCAA championship game was last night, so my friends John, Lenny, and Elizabeth added knots.

The quilt came with a card that said the following:

You are not alone. For each knot in this quilt a prayer was said just for you. When this quilt is around you, you know that God is also wrapping His arms around you to give you courage, strength, and His everlasting love.

Until my brain problems started, I had never really felt the power of prayer in my life. But during the process of all these surgeries, I could literally feel the prayers and see how people from the east coast to the west coast, even people visiting the Holy Land were praying for me. I've witnessed my illness bringing a brother and sister together again; having an entire school stop to pray for me; and getting people that I've fallen out of touch with to contact me out of the blue. In short, my illness has shown me how much I'm loved by those around me. Their tears and words have shown me how much I've touched each of their lives. I'm not thankful for the tumors, but I am thankful for the opportunity to feel the love of the people who have been such a part of my life.

Thank you, I also love you!