Here's A Holiday Story to Warm Your Heart!!!
By: Chief Fred Maas

It's 4:00 pm on Christmas Eve afternoon. The afternoon shift is heading for the road but before they do there is an elderly gent in the lobby of the police station. It seems he "lost his way" about 3 days ago and has been wandering since. He is from the Southwest section of Miami and over the course of time made his way to Sunny Isles Beach. Go Figure!

What was interesting to watch was the compassion and care that this 70+-year-old gent received from the officers on the shift. "Ole Bob" was asked if he was hungry and of course he was starved. All he wanted was a Tuna Sub and a couple of Twinkies for dessert. Almost immediately his order was in as one supervisor (Lt. Snyder) scurried over to Subway for the sandwich and another (Officer Reffitt) headed to the grocery for the desired Twinkies. Within minutes, "Ole Bob" was having his desired Christmas Eve meal while family members were contacted to alert them that "Bob" had been found, he was safe and they could begin their trip to Sunny Isles Beach to rescue him. "Ole Bob" was a character to say the least. Once the food arrived he didn't have much to say but occupied himself by devouring the meal. Officer Royal came and got me from my office to meet "Bob". But I think I got more from watching these men in blue attend to this gentleman who by some directed force was guided to Sunny Isles Beach. "Ole Bob" finished his meal, said his good-byes and eventually was picked up for safe return home. And as I called it a day, I smiled as I reflected on the wonderful spirit and generosity and compassion of the men and women who serve this City. Even towards a visitor to this City who may be lost like "Ole Bob." It reminded me of that great line: Merry Christmas to All and to All A Good Night."

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